More than 100 weapons have been seized and arrests made, as police ramp up action to tackle youth knife crime. 

Operation Sceptre – a nationwide intensification week – was an opportunity to educate young people on the dangers and devastating consequences of knife crime, encourage people to hand weapons in and target individuals who carry a blade.

Throughout last week, officers from Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Stockton conducted various activities across the county.

Officers recovered 111 knives from surrender bins placed at the four main police stations for members of the community to voluntarily give up unwanted blades.

They also delivered community talks, discussing themes from Cleveland Police’s Carrying a Blade Doesn’t Give You an Edge campaign which was presented to almost 100 young people.

There were 18 school visits to educate 2,000 students on the dangers and devastating consequences of serious knife-related crime.

In Hartlepool, there was an operation on the Causeway with the passive drugs dog. 

It led to four people being arrested including a 15-year-old boy, two 18-year-olds and a 52-year-old woman. Officers also recovered cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine. A machete and a knife were also seized.

Additional activity included: 

  • Business retailers were visited by officers for test purchasing.
  • At least two knives were recovered during stop searches resulting in their arrests.
  • At least six people were arrested for knife crime related incidents – five of which have since been charged. One was charged in connection with being in possession of a blade and four were charged in connection with an assault following a stabbing.

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Detective Inspector Sarah Beadle, Cleveland Police’s operational lead for Operation Sceptre, said: “The results from the week of action are encouraging and shine a light on what our officers are doing on a regular basis to tackle serious violence and knife crime.

“It is fantastic to see over 100 weapons were handed in via our surrender bins by members of the public who have voluntarily given up unwanted blades and prevented them from falling into the wrong hands.

“Evidence is clear that a child who carries a knife is more likely to become a victim, whether that’s being seriously injured or worse lose their life.

"Therefore it is important to keep raising awareness of the dangers and devastating consequences of carrying a blade to deter young people away from this crime and to make Teesside an even safer place to live and work both now and in the future.”