SOUTH Yorkshire Police are taking part in Sceptre, a national week of action to show what they are doing to tackle and reduce knife crime in local communities.
The initiative is running all week until Sunday and Detective Superintendent David Cowley, who is the force lead for knife crime, said: “Taking part in this week allows us to show our residents that we are dedicated to reducing knife crime on our streets, making South Yorkshire a safe place for everyone to enjoy.
“Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the devastating effect of knife crime, with families and friends losing loved ones to this awful crime.
“This year alone, four people have lost their lives because of homicides involving knives, this is not acceptable. Reducing knife crime remains a priority for our force and we will continue to seek to bring offenders to justice.”
The force have many different enforcement and engagement activities ongoing and this week they will provide a behind the scenes look into what this includes. Officers regularly conduct high-visibility and plain-clothed patrols in the most serious violent crime hotspot areas, complete test purchase operations on premises which sell bladed articles, visit local schools and youth groups on engagement and education visits and complete knife arch operations in our night-time economy. All with the aim to identify knife carriers and reduce this violent crime on our streets.
If you do own a knife, or bladed article, there are many knife amnesty bins located across South Yorkshire which you can dispose of these in a safe and anonymous way including the Vape Store, Regent Street, Barnsley.
