DORSET Police have made 14 arrests for knife-related crime and removed 28 blades from circulation in a national initiative to tackle the crime. 

Operation Sceptre ran from Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 and involved all 43 forces in Dorset. 

It educated 3,535 young people on the danger of carrying weapons, dispelled common misconceptions around knife crime, and directed them to the locations of surrender bins where implements can be deposited anonymously. 

The scheme also encouraged parents and carers to be aware of the packages being sent to their homes. 

Handheld metal detectors were distributed across the county, and will be stored in each operational vehicle as a supportive tool for stop and search incidents. 

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Heather Dixey, temporary chief superintendent, said: “Dorset is one of the safest places in the country to live, but the Force remains proactive in preventing and detecting knife crime.   

“Some young people carry a knife because they think it will make them safer, but carrying a knife can actually make them more vulnerable. 

“We have been very proactive in providing education and engagement opportunities to local schools and discussing these common misconceptions around knife crime in Dorset.   

 “We will continue our work to remove knives from the streets and encourage people to report any concerns they have about anyone carrying a knife in their community.” 

 Police and crime commissioner, David Sidwick said, “I was pleased to see the new knife wands, I have funded, in use and was impressed by the quality of the Firearms and Knife Education (FAKE) presentation. 

“However, the responsibility of dealing with knife crime in Dorset goes beyond the work of the police. It is down to all of us – from local authorities and external partners to charities and individuals – to robustly tackle the offences which can have devastating consequences on families and communities. 

“We owe it to the young people of Dorset to continue our fight to keep our streets safe and free from knives.” 

To seek advice about your child’s welfare, visit 

Parents can seek advice about their child’s welfare at parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/ 

For guidance on selling knives, retailer can visit www.nbcc.police.uk/knifeguidance