Wiltshire Police’s latest knife crime prevention campaign has seen a number of knives and weapons recovered during the week long event.
During the Op Sceptre week, which ran from Monday 11 – Sunday 17 March, they saw a number of incidents which we are investigating involving weapons, including:
- A 16-year-old who was found with CS gas and a hammer on Cavendish Square, Swindon was released under investigation. Also, an 11-year-old found carrying a knife in Swindon town centre is to be interviewed by officers imminently.
- They successfully obtained a ‘Closure Order’ for a Swindon property following the execution of a drugs warrant in the town following community intelligence regarding suspected drug dealing and ‘cuckooing’ activity at the address. Anyone found there is liable for arrest. During the warrant a 22-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession of a class B drug. He was taken to Gablecross custody for questioning and subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries.
- They also charged a 46-year-old woman from Swindon with possession of a bladed article in a public place after being arrested by officers on Wednesday (13/03); Kerry-Anne Mclane from Sheppard Street has been released on unconditional bail.
- A Swindon man was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. It followed the stop and search of a car by officers at approximately 2.30pm on Thursday (14/03) on Fleming Way, Swindon. During the search officers located and seized a meat cleaver. 40-year-old Gareth Rayner of Sparcells was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving without a licence and insurance. He has been released on unconditional bail.
- There were a total of five possession of knife offences in Swindon during the week (See Swindon picts 2 and 3 attached).
- Three schools were visited by officers and supported by the individual schools with daily bag checks but no suspicious items were found.
Inspector David Tippetts from Swindon said: “Op Sceptre is about the awareness of knife crime and the education around the carrying of knives. Support from local schools has been invaluable.
“I am pleased to say that during the week we identified 11 children through intelligence who habitually carry knives; they have been visited at home, the parents have been spoken to and our partner agencies have also been made aware of these children.
“In Swindon during the week, there were five possession of knife offences. However, the work for us around knife crime doesn’t stop at the end of Op Sceptre – part of our on-going daily business is tackling knife offences, arresting those who carry knives and confiscating these dangerous weapons.”
In Trowbridge, police carried out a number of patrols, sweeping local parks for knives and weapons. Other activity included:
- A man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary in Trowbridge after police stopped a vehicle on the M4 – a number of weapons were recovered.
- A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray after threatening another with two kitchen knives which were seized. The teenager has been released on police bail
- Numerous patrols were carried out by officers, including searches of Trowbridge parks.
- Four knives were handed in by members of the public who found knives in public places – they were reacting to our campaign: two knives were found in town centre parks, one in Adcroft Street, Trowbridge and one at the town’s railway station.
Sgt Neil Duffin, who lead the campaign in Trowbridge, said: “During the week, officers carried out patrols and searches of local parks resulting in some knives being found in bushes and some arrests being made.
“Equally as important has been the on-going community engagement we have been carrying out in the town – informing and educating the public about knife crime and how they can help prevent it. We have being speaking to people and leaflet dropping to underline the message: ‘No knife, safer life.’
“Op Sceptre may be over for now but our work doesn’t stop, we are never complacent about knife crime and I want to remind everyone that we will respond to any intelligence and information given to us by the public; knife crime can affect anyone.”
On Saturday evening (16/3) officers attended two addresses in Salisbury as part of an investigation and discovered a large amount of weapons.
Amongst other items a variety of knives including a meat cleaver, parts of a shotgun, BB gun and pellets were seized at the properties and subsequently surrendered for destruction (See Salisbury pict attached).
Police cadets in Salisbury decided to use their initiative and make an Op Sceptre video to continue the public safety message but also to show the on-going positive work being carried out by officers and young people in the county (see Dropbox link below).
Assistant Chief Constable Gavin Williams said: “The success of the Op Sceptre campaign is down to the continued work we do in our communities – not only raising awareness about the dangers of knife crime but enforcing the law – it is illegal to carry a knife and you could face prison.
“We are committed to robustly tackling knife crime, and I hope the message will be received loud and clear when I say that using a knife or sharp instrument to threaten or harm someone will not be tolerated in our county.
“It is easy to say knife crime is a police problem. But it is not as straightforward as that, tackling knife crime is a police priority but it is a community problem. One that we can only solve by parents, schools, the NHS and our communities working together.
“As our knife crime figures show, Wiltshire is a safe place to live; the statistics show knife crime has dropped by 18% across the county in the past year but we won’t ever rest on our laurels and will firmly deal with anyone who we find carrying a knife.”
Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “Another successful knife crime awareness week has highlighted the problems of the use of knives in our society.
“Fortunately, we live in a very safe county with knife crime even having decreased in the past year – however, a campaign like Op Sceptre shows that knife crime continues to be an issue, even in Wiltshire, and our police remain vigilant and continue to work with communities and partners to try and stop this.
“Partnership working is key and the police continue to work with the likes of the Youth Offending Team to help support preventative work. Early intervention is a major part of this crucial work – getting to the youngsters before they turn to use a blade for what they believe is protection.
“There is no one solution to rid our country and county of knife crime. We all need to take more responsibility for the signs of knife crime in our communities – to spot them early on so they get ‘nipped in the bud’ before becoming a major problem.”
If you have any information in relation to knife crime that can help police please call 101 or contact us anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
