Success for Nottinghamshire Police's Knife Crime Team during Operation Sceptre

A police team was tasked to Hucknall, Newark, Gedling and parts of the Nottingham city area during Operation Sceptre, the knife amnesty and public awareness drive held by forces across the country at the end of March.

Their action was just part of the force's continued commitment to tackling knife crime during the week of action, despite the challenges of coronavirus.

The force also carried out a number of proactive operations, warrants and weapon sweeps in public places.

The arrests made by the knife crime team included offences such as causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a blade, drug-driving and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

Those reported for summons were dealt with for offences including possession of cannabis and motoring offences.

Officers carried out a total of 43 stop and searches over the five areas, making ten drug seizures and also removed four vehicles from the roads for various offences.

Sergeant Steven King, of the knife crime team, said: "The team was tasked to a number of areas based onintelligence and had asignificant impact in each location.

"We were supported by other departments including roads policing, response, neighbourhood policing teams, CID and prisoner handling teams, so this was a real team effort.

"While government guidance on staying indoors and social distancing meant most places were quieter than normal we made a number of arrests and tackled weapon and drug-related offences, making our communities safer.

“This work continues all year round but Operation Sceptre is a good chance to highlight some of the work we do to keep people safe."

There are extra pressures currently on all emergency key workers as the country deals with the coronavirus pandemic.

Chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, said: "I am confident the overwhelming majority of people already understand the gravity of the situation we face.”