More than 150 weapons have been seized across West Yorkshire and 60 people have been arrested as part of a police operation.
Police officers from across the West Yorkshire Police force joined the Operation Jemlock knife and violent crime reduction unit to take part in Operation Sceptre. During this operation, 163 knives were seized and 60 people were arrested for a number of offences, including knife possession.
A total of 56 sweeps for weapons were conducted across the region. This includes Bradford, Leeds, Kirklees and Wakefield.
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Knife arches were also deployed at bus stations during busy times to reassure passengers and to deter people from carrying weapons onto public transport. A machete and some hammers were seized from a vehicle on Beck Hill, Buttershaw, Bradford, on November 15.
The vehicle was also recovered and the police are continuing their investigation.
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
More than 50 schools were also visited to educate young people on knife crime. Police operations to reduce knife crime have been supported by police partners such as the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership delivered by the Combined Authority.
This group was established in 2019 and provides interventions across communities to try to reduce offending. Since March 2023 it has worked with 47 organisations supporting 4,100 people aged under 25.
Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), Det Ch Supt Lee Berry said: “One more knife off the street is potentially another life saved, and whilst this latest activity offers a window into our proactive partnership efforts, the work continues day in, day out.
“Tackling serious violence requires a community-wide response, involving both preventative and enforcement approaches.
“That’s why we have launched a series of social media videos aimed at reaching both young people and parents or carers, helping to change attitudes and behaviours around knife carrying.”
According to West Yorkshire Police, figures from the 2022-2023 financial year show knife offences as four percent lower than the previous year. The numbers were also eight percent down for people aged under 25.
This equates to 102 less victims of knife crime and 73 fewer victims aged under 25.
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
Chief Inspector James Kitchen, head of Operation Jemlock, said: “Work to combat knife crime continues 365 days of the year in West Yorkshire, but Operation Sceptre remains a key week for police forces to raise awareness of the dreadful consequences of carrying bladed weapons.
“This November’s activity has seen us recover 163 bladed weapons and make 60 arrests for offences including possession of illegal weapons.
“OI equal if not greater importance, however has been the large number of knife crime inputs in schools.
“Reaching young people and attempting to change the culture of carrying knives is the only long term solution for us to break the cycle of knife violence, and it is the reason the force and VRP continue to invest so heavily in this area.
“Action from parents, friends, communities and partners at all levels continues to be absolutely vital if we are to succeed at driving home one key message. Namely, that if you carry a knife, you are likely to become a victim of one.”
“If you know someone who carries a knife, speak with them, speak to others and report it. If you are a friend it might just save their life or that of another.”
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