A NATIONAL initiative to tackle knife crime has been launched across the county.

Operation Sceptre starts today (Monday, May 15) and is designed to engage with local communities, to work with young people so to dispel myths around knives while carrying out test purchases with retailers.

The campaign will continue for two weeks and will feature a knife surrender facility to encourage people to hand in any knives they have.  

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Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said: “The dangers of carrying a knife and the consequences being life-changing and sometimes tragic cannot be over-emphasised.

“The proactive work of Wiltshire Police to maintain a highly visible presence in areas where there are concerns around knife crime underpins the Chief Constable’s priority of creating safe public spaces and my priority of reducing violence and serious harm.

“But this work needs to be supported by our early intervention team along with schools, charities, community groups, our local councils and the health service to ensure the education about the dangers of carrying a knife reaches beyond the classroom.

He added: “Operation Sceptre is an opportunity to highlight the vital work they do on a daily basis.”

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Surrender bins will be available at Salisbury Police Station and Amesbury Baptist Church, as well as at other locations across Wiltshire. 

Neighbourhood inspector for Swindon, David Tippetts said: “Since its launch in 2015, Operation Sceptre has galvanised activity, dedicating a week to intensified activity twice a year.

“This doesn’t mean we only look at this twice a year, but Sceptre is an opportunity to really focus on our efforts to tackle knife crime at a number of levels – from engaging with young people in schools to proactive patrols and knife sweeps.”

The police have requested that communities pull together and provide support and give evidence about those who carry knives.

The police can be contacted on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111