Hidden knives were targeted as officers took part in proactive knife sweeps in Nottingham.
Officers from the City Central neighbourhood policing team targeted public spaces where knives may have been hidden or discarded.
It is known that some offenders hide weapons in easily accessible locations to try to avoid being caught in possession.
In response local officers carry out regular intelligence-led searches of parks, housing estates and other locations to find hidden weapons.
The searches were linked to Operation Sceptre, a nationwide week-long spotlight in the work police forces do all year round to crack down on and prevent knife crime.
On Monday (14 November), officers focused on Chard Street Play Area and North Gate following reports of large groups congregating in those areas in recent weeks.
The team are set to conduct further searches in other local public spaces later this week, with neighbourhood teams across the county also carrying out knife sweeps in their respective patches.
Sergeant Mark Southgate, of the City Central neighbourhood team, said: “We’re searching the local parks and recreation grounds where we know groups do gather. Historical intelligence has indicated such groups will put knives in hedgerows and behind walls, where they are hidden out of sight but are easily accessible should there be a fight or any confrontation.
“These searches are definitely worthwhile. In the past we’ve found not only knives but other weapons as well such as hammers. That said, it is rare to find a weapon in a public space – people certainly won’t be tripping over them in their local parks.”
Inspector Ben Lawrence, who leads the City Central neighbourhood team, which is based at Radford Road Police Station, said his officers will continue to undertake proactive measures to keep people safe.
He said: “Every knife taken out of circulation is a potential life saved so that is why we proactively carry out these searches.
“Whilst the vast majority of people don’t carry knives or get involved in knife crime, we are working hard, with partner agencies to tackle the knife crime offences that occur and to help prevent them from happening in the first place.
“The team were also out in the community focusing on crime hot-spot areas. As ever, if you have information about knife crime or people that carry knives please get in touch with your local neighbourhood Policing team on 101.”
Taking blades off the streets and stopping people from picking them up in the first place are key parts of the county’s approach to cracking down on knife crime.
All this week, Nottinghamshire Police will be shining a light on the ongoing efforts to reduce knife crime in our communities as part of ‘Operation Sceptre’.
As part of the national week of action, which runs until Sunday (20 November), Nottinghamshire officers will be carrying out a range of different proactive policing and public engagement work.
Positive action will focus on educating people, especially young people, about the consequences of knife carrying, with officers set to visit different schools and colleges across the county to highlight these dangers.
