Sceptre, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) week of action focused on tackling knife crime, once again delivered significant results in Lancashire, with thousands of weapons removed from circulation and extensive prevention work carried out across the county.
Held twice a year, Sceptre brings together policing, education, health, local authorities, and community organisations to reduce the harm caused by knives. Coordinated by the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, this year’s activity saw wide-ranging enforcement, education, and engagement efforts delivered across communities.
A total of 2,443 weapons were removed from the county’s knife surrender bins, preventing them from causing potential harm. Officers also recovered five knives through stop searches, and another five during targeted weapon sweeps in public areas identified through local intelligence.
Prevention and education remained central to Lancashire’s approach. Teams delivered 44 community engagement events and 94 school visits, speaking with young people about the risks of carrying knives and the wider impact of serious violence. Young people across the county also received specialist first-aid training by StreetDoctors and KnifeSavers, equipping them with skills to help control bleeding in an emergency.
Partnership work continued throughout the week. Lancashire officers worked alongside the British Transport Police, deploying knife arches and wands at key transport hubs. Further activity took place in Lancashire prisons, focusing on rehabilitation, reducing reoffending, and safety both in and outside of the prison gates, this work was done in collaboration with individuals with previous knife-related convictions.
Chief Inspector Gemma Barr, Operational Lead for the VRN said: “Sceptre provides a valuable opportunity to showcase the work taking place across Lancashire, but it represents just one week of what is delivered every single day. The Violence Reduction Network and our partners work every day to prevent violence, support young people, and reduce the risks associated with knife crime. By combining early intervention, education, and strong enforcement, we are able to address the root causes of violence as well as its consequences.
“We remain absolutely committed to keeping our young people safe and continuing this work throughout the year. But this is not something we can police our way out of, and we encourage parents, carers, and communities to stay involved, start conversations, and support the work being done to keep young people safe.”
