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Machetes, zombie knives, nunchucks and Samurai swords were among the items confiscated
Hundreds of knives and other dangerous weapons have been seized or handed over as part of action to tackle serious violence across the Northumbria Police force area. As part of Operation Sceptre, officers took part in 16 knife sweeps and carried out 55 stop-searches in communities during a week of activity in November with machetes, zombie knives, nunchucks and Samurai swords among the 47 items confiscated.
A total of 80 arrests were made by police teams, some apprehended on suspicion of serious offences such as attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, assault, possession of weapons and theft.
In addition to the arrests, surrender bins put in police stations saw 899 knives handed in. The bins offer an option for people to dispose of offensive items anonymously.
Police cadets, alongside colleagues from local authority Trading Standards teams, conducted test purchases and saw nine knives sold illegally to young people. The retailers involved will receive appropriate guidance on the law. Meanwhile, Northumbria Police’s Community Engagement teams carried out youth prevention work in local community centres.
Talks were held by the Violence Prevention Ambassadors programme, giving advice around knife crime awareness, youth violence and hidden harm. Twenty-one sessions were carried out by Education teams at schools within the force area to emphasise the dangers of deciding to arm yourself with a weapon.
Police also turned to the transport network, alongside colleagues with British Transport Police and provider Nexus, with multiple knife arches used to detect weapons being carried by anyone passing through.
Superintendent Scott Cowie, Northumbria Police’s knife crime lead, said: “This is another extremely healthy set of results for our latest week of Sceptre activity, reaffirming our commitment to tackling knife crime and serious violence here in Northumbria. There are never any winners when it comes to knife crime and by choosing to pick up and arm yourself with a weapon, please be aware that you are putting yourself and those you are with at risk.
“Thank you once again to those in our communities for your support towards our efforts. As police we use all of the powers at our disposal to enforce the law and bring those responsible for knife crime to justice, but we cannot solve these problems alone.”
Supt Cowie concluded by saying: “Rest assured our work on this issue remains very much ongoing and evolving. And if you are aware or see something in your area relating to knife crime, please let us know so that we can identify offenders and seize more knives and other weapons.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said: “The latest Sceptre has achieved some really strong results – taking hundreds of knives off the streets and making important arrests.
“But work around education and prevention is key too, and I am also pleased with the work from the Violence Reduction Unit, community engagement teams and our local partners – all have been busy reaching out to young people, listening to them, and making sure they have the guidance and support to choose safer paths.”
With Northumbria Police on the ground in North East communities, Mrs Dungworth reiterated that “everyone has a part to play to help tackle serious violence.
“Parents, teachers, friends, youth workers, police officers – we all contribute by starting conversations early, paying attention, and offering help when it’s needed. By working together on initiatives like Sceptre, we can help create safer streets and stronger communities.”
Anyone with information on suspected knife crime in their area should send Northumbria Police a DM on social media or use the live chat and report forms on the force’s website. For those unable to contact police via the above ways, call 101. In an emergency situation, always ring 999.
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