More than 500 knives surrendered across West Country

The knives were recovered across the West of England

More than 500 knives have been recovered by police in the West of England as part of a national campaign.

Sceptre, which ran from 13 to 19 May, is a twice-yearly operation, that aims to deter people from carrying knives through prevention and enforcement, as well as education programmes.

Across the Avon and Somerset Police area, 234 knives were surrendered. Gloucestershire Police had 281 handed in, while Wiltshire Police recovered 30.

Officers also conducted undercover visits to shops, with some under 18-year-olds finding they were able to illegally purchase knives.

In Avon and Somerset, officers conducted more than 70 weapons sweeps and eight stop and searches, recovering six knives. The force also issued search warrants and delivered awareness events at schools.

Officers also installed a new community bleed kit in Castle Park in Bristol and more surrender bins in St Pauls and Stapleton Road in the city.

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, knife crime lead for Avon and Somerset Police, said they had "seen some exceptional results"

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, knife crime lead for Avon and Somerset Police, said: “This week of action has seen some exceptional results, but it is important to stress that addressing the issues of knife carrying and serious violence is a year-round effort.

“Our key focus throughout is on the drive to encourage young people to stop carrying knives on them in public, by tackling the misconception that people need to arm themselves to be safe."

People can deposit knives into special amnesty bins anonymously

Officers in Gloucestershire recovered weapons from amnesty bins in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Coleford, Gloucester and Stroud, and worked with Border Force to stop the import of illegal knives.

Inspector Ash Shingler, from Gloucestershire Police, said: "I'd like to thank the public for their support during this campaign.

“Knife crime continues to be a concern for many people across our communities.

"Every one that we take off the street is one that will no longer cause any potential harm.

“However, our work is not over and there is much more that we will be doing over the coming weeks and months to tackle this issue."

Meanwhile in Wiltshire, no knives were found during 51 weapons sweeps, with only one being recovered during 32 stop and searches.

Out of 52 knife test purchase operations in the county, 18 places failed for allowing people under the age of 18 to buy knives, or for failing to implement Challenge 25 - where ID is requested from anyone who looks under 25.

The next Sceptre campaign will take place in November.