More than 500 weapons seized in knife crackdown

Operation Sceptre involved police patrols and raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime

More than 500 weapons have been seized during a week-long crackdown on knife crime.

Police conducted engagement activities in schools, universities and city centres across East and West Sussex as part of Operation Sceptre.

Multiple arrests were made and thousands of members of the public were engaged in conversations about knife crime between 13-19 May.

Ch Insp Jim Loader said: “One knife on the street is one too many, and one life impacted by knife crime is one too many.”

In all, 307 knives were recovered from amnesty bins, knife sweeps or other activities in West Sussex, while in East Sussex, 200 knives were recovered.

In Brighton and Hove, 1,000 students, 52 retailers and 32 taxi drivers were engaged by officers.

A total of 47 knives were also seized in the city.

Knives were recovered from knife sweeps, amnesty bins and other initiatives

Police said the primary focus of the operation was on patrols in hotspot locations and working to divert young people away from knife crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex Katy Bourne said knife surrender bins, public engagement and education were needed to tackle knife crime effectively.

“Carrying a weapon can lead to catastrophic, life-changing consequences, and it isn’t worth it - lose the knife, not a life,” she said.

“The work with partners, schools and relevant organisations happens not just during this week but throughout the year, and is critical to making Sussex an uncomfortable place for knife carriers.”

Ch Insp Loader said Sussex is a "safe place," where knife crime related incidents are "substantially below the national average" by area.

"Despite this, there is always room for improvement,” he said.

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