DOZENS of knives have been taken off Barnsley’s streets following a week-long project to raise awareness about the devastating impact blades have had in recent months.
Operation Sceptre began last Tuesday and led to more high-visibility, proactive policing across the town which saw significant seizures as a result of stop and searches and warrants executed by officers.
Since the last operation in March, two high-profile stabbings have occurred and police this week reiterated their commitment to tackling knife crime after 73-year-old Jill Hibberd was murdered at her home on Roy Kilner Road, Wombwell, in June and a man suffered minor injuries in a stabbing in Barnsley town centre earlier this month.
According to the police, three people were arrested in the town during the clampdown and more than 2,000 were engaged either through officers going into schools, via public events or at stalls which were positioned at high footfall areas in Barnsley.
Officers also worked alongside Barnsley Council’s licensing staff, as well as trading standards officers, in order to carry out unannounced checks on businesses selling knives.
Det Supt Una Jennings, the force lead for Sceptre, said: “Our officers and staff have worked incredibly hard during the operation and thanks to their proactive approach we have seized nearly 70 knives and removed them from the streets.
“We carried out test purchase operations with retailers, many of whom passed the checks and refused to sell knives to under-18s.
“Of those that failed, they have received warnings and have taken positive action to ensure that this does not happen in future.
“There were 20 weapon sweeps or land searches carried out across the force, with 25 knives being recovered from those searches alone.
“Serious incidents only strengthen our resolve to continue with our proactive approach to tackling knife crime and progressing our long-term strategy in partnership with local authorities, health and other agencies.”
According to police, there has also been an alarming rise in youngsters carrying blades for protection or status - something which officers paid particular attention to in the latest clampdown.
Det Supt Jennings added: “It is vitally important that we continue to work together to address the issue of knife crime and make our young people feel safer and, if they are considering carrying a knife, understand why that is and educate them away from this highly dangerous path.
“We’re very clear that when the problem of knife crime comes to the police, someone has already been failed, whether it is the offender or the victim.
“I’m grateful for the support of our partner agencies, schools and communities as we continue our efforts to tackle this devastating crime.”
