POLICE officers in Northwich have been targeting knife crime as part of an initiative by forces nationwide.

Running from Monday, November 14 to Sunday, November 20, Operation Sceptre was a national effort to reduce offences and raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime.

Winnington and Castle police officers operated a temporary ‘no questions asked’ blade amnesty to allow people with knives to dispose of them safely by handing them in to community police officers.

They also visited charity shops in Northwich town centre to collect knives and bladed articles that have been donated, and performed in-depth sweeps of public areas where knives are likely to be hidden.

Northwich Guardian: Officers performing a search of St Helens churchyard (Cheshire Constabulary)Officers performing a search of St Helens churchyard (Cheshire Constabulary) (Image: Cheshire Constabulary)

Posting on social media, a member of the Winnington and Castle Police team said:

“Northwich North Beat team have attended the charity shops within the town centre to collect all bladed articles that have been donated.

“Please be reminded that the charity shops will NOT sell on bladed items.

“This is part of Operation Sceptre, which is a national initiative to keep our communities knife crime free.

“Officers also conducted a knife sweep in and around St Helen's Churchyard as part of Operation Sceptre. No knives were found.

“If you have any unwanted knifes, please get in touch with your local PCSO or police for collection. This is to ensure residents are safe from knife crime in their community.”

Cheshire Constabulary’s knife crime lead, superintendent Sarah Heath, said: “Despite Cheshire having one of the lower knife crime rates in the country, tackling the knife crime that does occur here is a huge priority for our force.

“Operation Sceptre allows Cheshire Constabulary to rally together with other forces in a bid to clamp down on knife crime in our communities to make our streets safer for everyone.

“We will continue to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying a weapon and to use all powers at our disposal to combat weapon-enabled crime.

“However, the police cannot achieve this goal on our own. Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of the whole society.

“Knives are dangerous, there is no place for them on our streets and they will not be tolerated by Cheshire Constabulary.”