Police forces across the country, including in Lancashire, are supporting Operation Sceptre, a week of intensive action to tackle knife crime.

The operation aims to target those who are carrying weapons, raise awareness of the dangers and impacts of knife crime, and engage with retailers.

Throughout Lancashire, officers will be working together with partner organisations to visit schools to educate young people, search for knives in public places, conduct high visibility patrols, use metal detecting arches to identify people who may be carrying knives, and give advice to shops on the laws on selling knives.

Taking place this week, May 16 to 22, Operation Sceptre runs nationally twice a year and supports the work Lancashire Police does to keep people across the county safe from knife and violent crime.

Chief Inspector Dave Oldfield, of Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, said: “This focused week of action is about police activity against knife crime, but we also spend a lot of time engaging with young people and wider communities.

"We aim to educate them on the laws around carrying knives and the dangers and potential impacts of doing so.

“Knife crime impacts not only the individuals involved, but their families, friends and wider community.

"It’s truly devastating when an incident occurs so I urge anyone thinking about carrying a knife to reconsider as, in a brief moment, your life can be changed forever.

"Approximately one per cent of Lancashire crimes during 2021 related to knife crime, which is lower than other areas, and hospital admissions in Lancashire for knife related injuries are lower than at their peak in 2020.

"Knife and violent crime are a priority and we continue to work together with partners to tackle the root causes of serious violence so that we can keep people and communities safe.”

If you have any information about knife crime in Lancashire you can call the police on 101 or report anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.