Police seize 980 knives in weapons blitz across Stoke-on-Trent

Police have collected 980 knives in the latest crackdown on weapons being used in crimes across Stoke-on-Trent. The force set up '12 surrender points' across Staffordshire - including in Hanley [1] and Longton [2] - where people could hand in knives without questions being asked. During the campaign - which started on November 13 and ends on Sunday (November 26) - officers have also targeted public places to try to unearth knives and weapons which had been stashed away. StokeonTrentLive reported [3] how a sweep was carried out at Hanley Park with cops linking up with the city council for the search.

Elsewhere and police cadets supported officers in a knife sweep in the Moorlands on Saturday. In total five knives were found in Staffordshire sweeps with another two through stop and searches. The force says three arrests were made.

READ: 'No escape' from Arctic blast as -2C forecast for North Staffordshire | This weekend will be particularly cold [4] READ: Police response to bad drivers on A500 and Waterloo Road | Staffordshire Police say motorists should submit dashcam footage of incidents in the Potteries [5] Across the border and Cheshire Police [6] carried out 39 knife sweeps in parks and public places - with three blades being found.

The action from the constabularies come in support of the national Operations Sceptre and Calibre which aim to to tackle knife crime and street robbery, respectively. To further try and prevent knife crime in the Potteries and 'Responsible Retailer Parks' have been dished out to traders.[7] It emphasises how it's illegal to sell a knife to anyone under 18 - and reminds traders they can refuse a sale if they have concerns over how the knife will be used. Chief Inspector Rob Hessell, commander of Stoke-on-Trent South Local Policing Team, who is also the force lead for knife crime, said: "Tackling knife crime is a national issue across all society and one which the Police cannot just arrest their way out of alone.

"It requires a multi-partnership approach, in which we work collectively through Violence Reduction Alliances, education, charities, local authorities and retail." Chf Insp Hessell says the force's ongoing #DitchTheBlade campaign has been successful in bringing different groups together - and highlighting the impact of knife crime. He added: "Educating and influencing young people, in particular, about the dangers of knife crime is a key strand of this work.

That is how we effect long-lasting change for future generations." In Cheshire and officers also carried out visits to schools and youth organisations to hold workshops on the impact of knife crime and street robbery. Superintendent Andy Blizard, the force lead for knife crime, said: "Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour - through education, awareness and action - to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife, or feels that there is a reason to do so."

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References

^ Hanley (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Longton (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ StokeonTrentLive reported (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ 'No escape' from Arctic blast as -2C forecast for North Staffordshire | This weekend will be particularly cold (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Police response to bad drivers on A500 and Waterloo Road | Staffordshire Police say motorists should submit dashcam footage of incidents in the Potteries (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Cheshire Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ 'Responsible Retailer Parks' have been dished out to traders. (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
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