Week of action to highlight work on knife crime

The work done by Derbyshire Constabulary year-round to tackle knife crime is being highlighted during a national week of intensification.

Sceptre, run by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), is a twice-yearly opportunity to showcase what Police officers are doing to educate people on knife crime and keep weapons off the streets.

Over the course of the week from Monday 11th November, officers across Derbyshire will be taking part in a range of activities, delivering inputs and assemblies in school to both late-primary and secondary students, as well as hosting pop-up stalls in colleges.

There will also be knife sweeps conducted, where officers scan parks and recreational spaces for weapons, sometimes with the help of a metal detectors.

As well as this, Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be around hosting a number of events in local communities, where members of the public can  speak to them and find out more.  Amnesty bins, a key feature of Sceptre, will also be placed at locations across the county to allow people to hand in their unwanted knives.

Not only will officers be working in a visible way, but they will continue to work behind the scenes, too, in order to gather intelligence and target offenders, as well as prevent incidents from happening.

Superintendent Ranjit Dol, the force lead for knife crime, said: “Our local teams are continuously working with people in their communities to educate people on knife crime and also to gather information and prevent it before anything happens.

“During the week of Sceptre, it is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to see what our teams are doing. 

“Knife crime has a devastating impact, not only the victims and perpetrators directly involved, but also for families. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, loved ones and family friends all feel the ripple effects and we will never become complacent when it comes to our work in preventing this.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts added: “One knife crime incident, one victim of knife crime, is one too many.  I think it is important that people see just how hard the police, our dedicated Violence Reduction Unit and our partners are working to reduce knife crime and violence.  Operation Sceptre provides that opportunity and the results of this week of action will give confidence to many that action is being taken.

“It’s clear to me that we must tackle the root causes of serious violence. We must educate and intervene as early as possible to deter more young people from being sucked into a cycle of crime.  That’s why I am keen to engage with, to listen to and learn from more young people so that we can use their views and experiences to effectively reduce knife crime and serious violence.  If we work together, we can achieve so much more.”

If you have any information or would like to make a report relating to knife crime, call 101. In an emergency, call 999.

You can also report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or through their partners at Fearless where you can give information about crime 100% anonymously.

You can also report online at by visiting this link to the Derbyshire Constabulary website.

Operation Sceptre - What is knife crime?

Knife crime is any crime involving a knife or sharp object. This includes carrying a knife in a public place, owning a banned knife, trying to buy a knife if you are under 18 or threatening, injuring or fatally wounding someone with a knife,

Self defence or self protection are NOT valid reasons for carrying a knife or bladed article.

You are more likely to be hurt or injured if you carry a knife.

Carrying a knife could mean up to 5 years in prison - even if it is not used.