127 people arrested and 59 weapons seized in knife crime clampdown

During a week-long campaign by Northumbria Police 127 people were arrested and 59 weapons seized as part of a national effort to tackle serious, violent crime, with Operation Sceptre saw a clampdown on knife crime in particular.

Included a raid in Saxon Way in Jarrow, where two small hand guns, crossbow and two other replica firearms were recovered and a 33-year-old man arrested.

Dozens more strikes were carried out across the force, recovering blades, more firearms, cash and a small cannabis farm, with 26 of the weapons voluntarily handed over as visits were made to homes of collectors and enthusiasts.

Stop and search checks and sweeps, where areas such as bushes, parks and derelict buildings are scoured for weapons hidden by criminals, were also carried out.

Four arrests made with the help of the Border Force centred on the importation of weapons, with officers keen to educate about the dangers of ordering items online.

Further projects, backed by partner organisations, are ongoing to work with those who pose a risk of carrying a weapon.

The action has been praised by Northumbria’s Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison, who says work never stops to tackle the risks posed by blades and firearms.

He said: “Our stance on knife crime and serious violence is simple – it has absolute no place in our region.

"Operation Sceptre is an important work and I’m proud of the work our officers have done, it has been really effective and made 127 arrests.

"We will continue to seize on important intelligence around weapons, prevention work and work around the importation of weapons into the country.

"It has the potential to prevent somebody from being killed or seriously hurt with life changing injuries and that will also have an impact on their family and friends.

"It is vitally important to understand this is a long-term approach to how we work to keep our communities safe from this kind of offending.”

Anyone with concerns about someone in possession of a prohibited weapon, or wants to report suspicious activity, can visit the Tell Us Something page of its website or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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