Police seize 120 knives in Milton Keynes and beyond during Operation Sceptre

Operation Sceptre was launched throughout the Thames Valley last week, during a national week of action to reduce the threat of knife crime.

Milton Keynes Police Station was one of 11 stations where amnesty bins were placed between April 26 and May 2, allowing members of the public to dispose of unwanted knives safely.

Police officers in Milton Keynes also carried out knife sweeps and recovered bladed weapons during these exercises. One 10-inch blade was discovered during a sweep of Hodge Lea hidden underneath a log on a footpath.

Across the entire Thames Valley region, 250 knives or bladed articles were found or handed over. The most were found in Buckinghamshire where 120 were claimed, 96 were taken in Berkshire and in Oxfordshire 44 were disposed of.

Working in tandem with knife crime prevention schemes, were school visits also completed by the police. In total 135 schools were visited, this included Brooklands Farm Primary School. Children were shown a new storybook developed by PCSO David Bullock, PC Ben, a fictional officer who's adventure is used to increase trust between children and community officers.

Already, 2,700 copies of the book have been purchased, with around 900 infant and primary schools across the whole Thames Valley to each receive three copies. Parents can also receive access to a digital version of the book.

Officers also attended community meetings and carried out 85 test purchase operations in the Thames Valley.

Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt, force lead for Operation Sceptre, said: “Thames Valley Police is wholly committed to reducing the threat of knife crime within our communities.

“Operation Sceptre is a national week of action that highlights our work to tackle this crime type, however it is important to stress that our work continues beyond this week of action.

“The public have an important part to play also in helping to keep knives off our streets. They can help us as additional eyes and ears in our fight against serious violence and knife crime. By making a report to us you could help save a life.”