A total of fifteen knives have been surrendered in Crewe to Cheshire Police - following a national campaign to reduce the impact on knife crime in communities.

On Monday 16 May, Cheshire Constabulary stepped up ongoing efforts to take knives off the streets by launching the Operation Sceptre scheme.

Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Cheshire have been determined to identify and pursue suspected knife crime offenders.

They managed to take dangerous weapons off Crewe's streets and educate people about the risks of carrying bladed weapons.

A total of fifteen knives have been surrendered in the town - zero have been seized.

Image of knives surrendered from part of Congleton, Cheshire in one surrender bin Image of knives surrendered from part of Congleton in one surrender bin (Cheshire Constabulary).

Crewe's statistics are lower when compared to similar sized towns.

In Macclesfield, there were 12 knives seized and 120 surrendered, In Chester there were three knives seized and 52 surrendered and also in Warrington there were two knives seized and a whopping 165 surrendered.

The police worked on different aspects of knife crime across different areas of Cheshire.

Some worked with partners on education and awareness, whilst others focused on pursuing arrests and warrants.

Through the programme of activities across Cheshire there were:

• 26 people arrested and 26 knives seized

• 721 weapons collected via 56 surrender bins situated across Cheshire

• Five knives recovered from 56 weapon sweeps

• 194 people stopped and searched

Officers and PCSOs visited licenced premises in Cheshire's nightlife hotspots to display Operation Sceptre flyers in busy areas of pubs and bars.

Security Industry Authority (SIA) licenced staff were also given knife wands to further enhance security.  

Superintendent Sarah Heath, the knife crime lead for Cheshire Constabulary said: "Nationally, knife crime is a growing problem and the week-long Operation Sceptre campaign is an initiative that the force is always keen to support.

721 weapons were collected via 56 surrender bins situated across Cheshire (Cheshire Constabulary).

"Knife crime is an issue that the force tackles throughout the year, not just during weeks of action, with officers working day and night to protect our communities.

"At Cheshire Constabulary we have an ongoing structured prepare, protect, pursue and prevent approach to tackling knife crime that involves various partner agencies, including local authorities, education providers, health authorities, third sector organisations, youth representatives and community groups.

"We work together to achieve long-term change by educating young people about the dangers and futility of carrying weapons.

"We are proud of the fact that Cheshire has one of the lowest rates of knife crime in the country, but we are aware that there has been a 13% increase in knife crime related incidents in Cheshire over the past twelve months.

"When people carry knives, it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life-changing injuries or is killed, and if you carry a knife then you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime."

Last year, Crewe councillors told Nub News they were setting an action group with police to help tackle knife crime. This is yet to be finalised.

Supt Heath added: "As all the statistics show, carrying a knife doesn't make you safer.

Image of knives taken possession of in Warrington, Cheshire (Cheshire Constabulary).

"We make sure they know that carrying a knife, even if they have no intention of using it, is a crime and can increase the likelihood of suffering an injury and having a criminal record – anyone found carrying a knife in public, without a reasonable excuse, faces a prison sentence.

"We also steer them away from criminality and offer them attractive alternative ways to spend their time.

"Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour – through education, awareness and action – to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife, or feels that there is a reason to do so.

"The police cannot achieve this goal on our own. Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of society as a whole.

"If you know someone who carries a knife, reporting it to the police could be enough to save a life."

Elsewhere in Cheshire, there were 160 surrendered knives in Congelton 21 knives surrendered in Northwich - both with zero seized.

To report any type of crime involving weapons, call Cheshire Constabulary on (101), or (999) in an emergency.

Information can also be passed to the force online via Report a crime | Cheshire Constabulary

Anyone who knows someone that carries a knife can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800 555 111) or click HERE.

Cheshire Constabulary has told Nub News the official Crewe figures from this campaign will be released shortly.

For more information and government rules on knives in the UK click HERE.

READ MORE: Cheshire firefighters rescue cat from rooftop near Crewe.

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