Over 1,100 knives recovered and arrests made in Lancashire after knife crime awareness week Operation Sceptre

1,112 knives have been taken off the streets of Lancashire during a national week of action to tackle knife crime. Watch more of our videos on Shots! and live on Freeview channel 276

The seven-day operation resulted in 239 arrests across the county - 11 of these arrests had knives seized directly. Between Monday 13th and Sunday 20th November, the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network (VRN) worked with partner organisations, including Lancashire Constabulary, to conduct a variety of tactics to prevent knife crime.

As part of Operation Sceptre. the police visited 32 schools, carried out 44 weapon sweeps in intel-led locations and carried out 289 stop and searches - 30 of which led to an arrest and 6 recovered a knife.

Alongside these enforcement tactics, education and prevention plays a key part in the VRN's approach to tackling knife crime.

99 schools took part in knife crime education talks which involved highlighting the dangers of carrying a blade and urged students to realise that those who carry knives are in the minority. Chief Inspector Dave Oldfield said: "If you think you need to carry a knife because everyone else does, then you're wrong. It is important to remember that most people do not carry knives."