POLICE have conducted a series of activities in support of Operation Sceptre, the national week of action to reduce the threat of knife crime.

As part of a national knife crime week of action that ran from May 13 to May 19,  the public were reminded of the permanent knife amnesty bins placed in public spaces and police station across the Thames Valley.

 In total 394 knives were handed in.

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A number of other proactive activities were undertaken across the force to tackle knife crime including: 142 educational engagements with young people and local communities, 148 stop searches carried out, 67 test purchase operations, and 76 knife related arrests.

Inspector Alex Penn said: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported this week of action and all those who continue to support us in tackling knife crime and working to make our communities a safer place.

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“Throughout the week, there was an increased police presence in our communities, with officers engaging specifically around knife crime and working in partnership with businesses, the community and young people to disrupt and reduce the threat of knife crime across the Thames Valley.

“We continue to deliver robust enforcement to target the small number of people involved in knife crime and associated criminality.

"It is through both early intervention and targeted policing activity that we can work together to address the root causes of violence and use preventive initiatives to divert people from crime.”