Hertfordshire Constabulary to crack down on knife crime with Sceptre campaign

Hertfordshire police will combat knife crime in a week of action as part of the nationwide Sceptre campaign.

During the initiative from Monday to Sunday (November 11-17), officers will conduct knife sweeps, talk to retailers to ensure knives are not sold to under-18s and educate young people.

Sgt Karen Mellor, who is leading the operational activity for Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: “Knife crime remains low in the county, but we regularly run these weeks of action, along with our policing partners across the country, as part of a continuing effort to drive down knife crime.

“While we work every day to tackle knife crime, Sceptre weeks give us the chance to hold amnesties to reduce the number of knives in circulation. This provides another chance for those in possession of recently banned zombie knives to surrender them anonymously.

“It’s also a great opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives, in particular that carrying a knife in public is illegal and could result in arrest.”

During the campaign, knives can be surrendered at Stevenage, Hatfield and Watford police stations and temporary knife bins around the county.

A survey will gauge residents’ concerns about knife crime and thoughts on how police are tackling the issue in Hertfordshire. Add your thoughts to the knife crime survey.