Crewe: Almost nine knives per day seized in weeklong sting

By The Editor

30th May 2023 | Local News

Police officers in Crewe and across Cheshire have intensified their efforts in tackling knife crime as part of a national week of action.

Operation Sceptre ran from Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May, as part of a national effort to reduce the impact of knife crime in our communities.

And Crewe averaged 8.57 knives a day seized from the streets over the seven day period.

Crewe saw 60 knives seized in total over the aforementioned dates.

Police facilities at Civic Centre, Crewe. (Ryan Parker).

For comparisons sakes, Macclesfield had ten more knives nicked in the same period.

Crewe had less knives seized than Macclesfield, despite having a larger population.

Over the course of the week, our counties' police force has seen over 180 bladed weapons voluntarily surrendered by members of the public to the 40 plus knife surrender bins located across the region.

In Crewe, the current home of the Knife Angel sculpture, officers from the Local Policing Unit have been working alongside the Safer Cheshire East Partnership and the CrimeBeat charity in providing a programme of activities during the Angel's residency in the town, in which Operation Sceptre week fell.

South Cheshire College's Knife Angel artwork.

Over the last month, Merseyside's Perception Theatre Company has visited several schools and colleges across Crewe to deliver productions of an original knife crime-centred production written in partnership with constabulary; students from South Cheshire College have been designing artwork for public buildings to promote the Angel's message of non-violence.

More recently, Crewe LPU has partnered with the KnifeSavers organisation and has acquired the funding to rollout a number of ambulance-grade Bleed Control Kits to establishments across the town, with training provided to those wishing to get involved.

In several taster sessions that took place during Operation Sceptre week, Crewe officers invited youth and volunteer groups, colleges and local businesses to join them for an in-depth training session on how to treat knife wounds of all severities, ranging from minor lacerations to wounds that cause severe bleeding and internal damage.

Sergeant Steve Tandy of Crewe Local Police Unit, said:

Clemonds Hey, Cheshire Police's HQ in Winsford. (Image - Crewe Nub News)

"With the Knife Angel having returned to the county this month, along with the launch of Operation Sceptre last week, there has been no better time to highlight the outstanding efforts from our officers in keeping knife-related incidents across our region low.

"The recent securing of funding to distribute of these several game-changing Bleed Kits to several organisations across Crewe, we can limit the number of any potential fatalities or life changing injuries at the hands of knife crime."

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 this link.

Anyone who knows someone that carries a knife can report it to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.