POLICE have carried out a knife sweep in Winsford Town Park.

The Winsford Beat Management Team scoured hedges and bushes looking for weapons on Tuesday as part of this week's Operation Sceptre operation.

Cheshire Constabulary is supporting a national knife crime initiative to help take knives off the streets and educate people about the dangers of carrying weapons.

Operation Sceptre is a week long targeted approach which runs until Sunday. 

Cheshire has the second lowest rates of knife crime in England.

Police carry out a knife sweep in Winsford Town Park

Police carry out a knife sweep in Winsford Town Park

Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, who is the force’s knife crime lead, said: “The fact that we have a lower rate of knife crime than all areas of England and Wales bar one is testament to all the hard work that has been done here in Cheshire.

"Our strategy to combat knife crime through education, awareness and action recognises the importance of communities and voluntary groups have in helping to collectively address the complex issues associated with knife crime and habitual knife carrying.

“When people carry knives it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life changing injuries or is killed, and if you carry a knife then you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime.

“Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour – through education, awareness and action – to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife or feels that there is a reason to do so.

Retailers are urged to have robust controls on the sale of blades, such as kitchen knives.

It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18, and anyone found carrying a knife in public, without a reasonable excuse, faces a prison sentence.

If anyone knows of a knife carrier they can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.