Hampshire Police alongside the British Transport Police are backing Operation Sceptre which aims to tackle knife crime.

Monday began a week of action to highlight that there are no positives to carrying a knife.

Chief Inspector John Halfacre, the knife crime lead at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: “Reducing knife crime remains a top priority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary as well as policing nationally. Operation Sceptre is a nationally coordinated week of action and an opportunity to highlight some of the activity that takes place across the force area week-in-week-out to tackle serious violence related to knife crime.

“We will employ tactics that are both enforcement and prevention based and include stop and search, weapon sweeps, intelligence led action against habitual knife carriers, test purchase operations, raising awareness of knife retailers, educational input and community engagement events.

“We are again working with Border Force to increase the intelligence shared with forces about those who are importing knives into England and Wales from overseas. In addition, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary already work very closely with the Violence Reduction Unit of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure a fully joined up approach to violence reduction.

“There can be few things in policing more important than reducing the terrible harm and impact caused by the criminal use of knives and blades, and as the tactical lead for knife crime I am dedicated to do all I can to help reduce knife crime and the impact it has on communities.”

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s police and crime commissioner, Donna Jones said:

“The impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities is truly devastating and long lasting, that’s why tackling knife crime is one of the top priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.”

If you are aware of anyone who carries a knife or have concerns that someone you know may carry a knife, please report it to police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.