Hampshire Police removed 890 knives from streets during week-long Operation Sceptre, making 19 arrests for knife-related offences while seizing weapons including an axe, knuckle duster and BB guns across the county.
The successful knife crime crackdown by Hampshire Police and community partners resulted in the confiscation of nearly 900 offensive weapons from county streets. During Operation Sceptre, officers executed weapons-related warrants, conducted thorough searches, and recovered various dangerous items alongside the substantial knife haul.
The force employed multiple strategies throughout the operation, deploying weapons sweeps, engaging with educational institutions and local communities, installing knife detection arches in public areas, and positioning knife surrender bins to encourage voluntary weapon handovers.
Community engagement formed a crucial element of the initiative, with 320 outreach activities conducted countywide. These included educational visits to schools, colleges and youth organisations designed to steer young people away from violence and gang involvement. Officers also worked to raise awareness about knife crime consequences whilst providing community reassurance and building local resilience.
Educational visits extended to Crofton School in Stubbington as part of the comprehensive action week.
The operation emphasised education and engagement with both the public and knife-selling retailers, focusing on strict sales regulations. Neighbourhood and Licensing officers conducted unannounced inspections and briefed shop staff on knife sale restrictions and mandatory ID verification requirements. Testing revealed concerning results, with 25 test purchases conducted across county businesses showing a 28 per cent failure rate in carrying out required verification checks.
Inspector Mike Minnock, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s tactical lead for knife crime, commented: “This action week has delivered genuinely positive outcomes through meaningful intervention – from youth engagement to strong partnership collaboration and shared commitment to safer streets. Creating lasting change and protecting communities requires collective effort because policing alone cannot achieve this.
“Most retailers cooperate with us to prevent dangerous weapons reaching inappropriate hands and stop knife sales to minors. However, work remains, and we remain dedicated to pursuing those who continue breaking the law.
Related: Man Arrested Over Sexual Assault
“Meeting numerous community members has been extremely positive, and it’s evident we share identical determination to combat knife crime. Over three years, we continue observing a 22.4 per cent reduction in serious knife-related offences across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, contrasting with trends elsewhere nationally.
“While this represents merely statistics – we understand, experience and witness directly the devastating consequences and extensive impact knife crime creates for individuals, families and communities. This Force remains committed to safer streets and brighter futures for everyone.
“If you know someone carrying a knife, you can contact police, speak with trusted family members or teachers, or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
Those concerned about knife crime can access support through The Ben Kinsella Trust charity or contact local Neighbourhood Teams by calling 101. For emergencies, always dial 999.
Areas feeling unsafe can be reported anonymously via StreetSafe, with information provided to local police forces to improve area safety. Anonymous reporting remains available through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
