116 knives or blades handed in during Operation Sceptre in Oxfordshire

In total 741 knives were handed in to Thames Valley Police during the week of action.

As part of a national knife crime week of action that ran from Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May, the public were reminded of the permanent knife amnesty bins placed in public spaces and police station across the Thames Valley.

This was to prevent unwanted knives from finding their way onto the streets.

As part of the week of action Thames Valley Police also conducted a number of activities including:

• 550 targeted patrols in areas identified to have higher levels of violence or knife crime issues.
• 302 educational engagements with young people and local communities.
• 78 test purchase operations.

Officers also conducted 150 stop and searches and made 54 knife related arrests.

Chief Inspector Jade Hewitt, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported this week of action and all those who continue to support us in tackling knife crime and working to make our communities a safer place.” 

“Throughout the week, there has been an increased police presence in our communities, with officers engaging specifically around knife crime and working in partnership with businesses, the community and young people to disrupt and reduce the threat of knife crime across the Thames Valley.

“We continue to deliver robust enforcement to target the small number of people involved in knife crime and associated criminality. It is through both early intervention and targeted policing activity that we can work together to address the root causes of violence and use preventive initiatives to divert people from crime.”