Operation Sceptre: launch of bi-annual national knife crime awareness campaign

Today (Monday 15 May) marks the launch of Operation Sceptre – a national knife crime week of action that will run until Sunday 22 May 2023.

Operation Sceptre is a national initiative that takes place twice a year co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council.  The operation aims to raise awareness of knife crime and the police action in detecting, reducing and preventing it.

The week of action is also an opportunity for people to surrender any knives or any bladed article that could be used as a weapon at one of the forever amnesty bins which are permanently located around Greater Manchester (see the map below).

Throughout the week of action, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will be co-ordinating additional policing activity and working closely with partners including the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, local authorities, public health, youth workers and charities to protect communities and young people from the threat of knife crime.

Some of the increased police activity will include:

• Additional high visibility patrols, particularly in hotspot locations and targeting repeat offenders
• Promoting the Forever Amnesty bins that are located around the force for people to deposit knives and other bladed weapons safely and anonymously
• Additional focus on keeping people safe on nights out and in town centres
• Working with partners to raise awareness of Challenge 25 where people can buy knives
• Working with schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives
• Conducting weapons sweeps for hidden or discarded knives
• Staffing knife arches at Metrolink stops and other locations in order to detect and deter people from carrying knives

Operation Sceptre complements GMP’s ongoing initiatives such as Operation Sycamore, Concept and Forever Amnesty which aim to reduce knife crime and serious violence.

It also supports the wider work of the GM Violence Reduction Unit in raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime and educating young people - both of which are key to prevention.

Superintendent Caroline Hemingway, GMP’s force lead for serious violence and knife crime, said: “Operation Sceptre is an opportunity to highlight the dangers of knife crime and show how enforcement helps keep the public safe.

“Whilst our officers are doing vital work, we know that much more needs to be done to ensure that people feel safe and GMP will continue to step up its policing response. In December 2022, GMP set up Operation Venture, which is a dedicated team of officers who are ring-fenced to tackle knife crime and serious violence. This team has already seen great results with over 141 arrests made and 47 weapons seized in just 4 months. The team are continually building an intelligence picture around knife crime hotspots and will continue to target offenders and protect communities across Greater Manchester.

"Our officers also act on intelligence and often the most important information we receive is given to us by members of the public and I would anyone with information to share it so we can act upon it.

"Sadly, some people think it's normal to carry a knife and we need communities to pull together and challenge that behaviour.

"We need parents and teachers to have frank conversations with young people about the dangers and we need young people to speak out against carrying knives.

“If you know someone is carrying a knife, you can direct them to one of our Forever Amnesty bins, which are permanently located in local police stations around Manchester for people to deposit knives and other bladed weapons without fear of prosecution.

"And if necessary, you must report someone who persists in carrying a knife to the police - both for their safety and the safety of everyone else. Too many lives are being wasted because of knife crime and it has to stop.”

Deputy Mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire, Kate Green, said: “Operation Sceptre is an opportunity to intensify our efforts across Greater Manchester to tackle knife crime and its devastating impact.

“In recent months our data has clearly shown the positive impact of the work of GMP, Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, our partners and communities in reducing knife related incidents, but we know that there is more to do.

“We all have a part to play in preventing knife crime, and I would urge those that know someone who might be carrying a knife, or carrying a knife themselves, to use one of the Forever Amnesty bins located across Greater Manchester, or take a look at the #SpeakingOutCouldSaveALife campaign for help and support - #SpeakingOutCouldSaveALife - Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (gmvru.co.uk).”