A TOTAL of 70 weapons were removed from the streets of the West Midlands and 76 people were arrested in a week-long operation to tackle knife crime.
West Midlands Police, along with 43 other other forces across England and Wales, took part in Operation Sceptre from May 15 to 21.
The force says of the 76 arrests it made 29 were related to knife crime offences.
A variety of tactics were used including weapons sweeps, engagement with schools and local communities, knife arches in public places and at events and knife surrender bins for people to hand over their blades.
A knife arch was set up in Solihull in conjunction with Safer Travel and numerous targeted patrols were conducted in hotspot areas.
In Coventry, officers talked to shop owners and residents about knife crime, with tips on how to provide information about suspicious activity in the area.
Supt Gareth Morris, who leads the response to knife crime in the West Midlands, said: “We carried out 265 stop searches during the week and saw lots of positive results, but the work to tackle knife crime doesn’t stop there.
“We will continue working in collaboration with partner organisations to support young people in making informed choices.
“Youth engagement forms a significant part of our approach to tackling knife crime with officers and police staff working with schools, colleges, youth groups and partners to help young people move away from violence and involvement in gang activity.
“It’s vital parents and teachers also talk to young people about knife crime so we can all work together to tackle the root causes of youth violence and make the West Midlands a safer place.”
For support and advice on how to keep loved ones away from knife crime, visit lifeorknife.west-midlands.police.uk.
