Undercover teens have targeted Wiltshire retailers in a knife crime crackdown – testing shops to see if they are selling knives to young people.
The national Operation Sceptre campaign is focusing on test purchasing operations across the county to ensure shops are following the law when selling bladed items.
Police cadets aged under 18 are asked to try to buy a knife. Shops fail the test if the sale is completed or if the seller does not challenge the buyer for identification when the buyer appears under 25.
The week of action, which began on Monday, 17 November, also sees officers carry out weapon sweeps using metal detectors.
A knife arch will be set up at various locations and accompanied by educational sessions to encourage engagement and raise awareness of the risks.
Chief Insp Steve Jolly, who is leading the campaign in Wiltshire, said: “We use a multifaceted approach to tackling knife crime and this includes stopping the sale and supply of knives solely intended to harm, understanding the reasons people carry knives and engaging with these individuals, finding and seizing knives, and ultimately ensuring our communities feel safe.
“While our commitment to tackling knife crime is a priority all year round, this week will see us increase our focus on ensuring local business owners are acting responsibly when it comes to the sale of knives. We will be utilising our police cadets to carry out multiple test purchase operations across Wiltshire.
“It’s important to remember that Wiltshire is a safe county, but we all have a responsibility to ensure we are tackling knife crime, and this week of action will highlight the work we can all do.”
Police data shows knife and blade related crime in Wiltshire and Swindon has fallen by just under nine per cent. There were 808 incidents recorded between April 2023 and April 2024, compared with 738 during the following 12-month period.
“While this fall in the number of incidents is positive news, we must not be complacent. We know the devastating impact knife crime can have on families and communities,” said Chief Insp Jolly.
“We are using this week as a chance to highlight the many different ways our officers engage with young people all year round to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife.”
The campaign is being backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson who said that there is still a significant amount of work to do.
“It’s vital that collectively, we target our funding towards those most at risk of being influenced by peers or others to carry a knife, which is why my office funds a wide range of initiatives such as Blunt Truth, to prevent harm before it happens,” he said.
“Through the Serious Violence Duty we’re working more closely and more effectively with our partners to make the most of our scarce resources, and the results are starting to show.
“Although we are making progress in these key areas, it’s important that we continue to build upon the strong foundations we are laying and support our communities to make Wiltshire safer.”
