Operation Sceptre: Met Police violent crime crackdown sees 280 knives seized in a week

A Met Police operation led to more than 790 arrests made and 280 knives seized in one week, figures have shown.

Operation Sceptre, which targeted violent crime through the capital, led to more than 790 arrests, 51 warrants, 1,578 weapon sweeps and 280 knife seizures in the week ending 22 May.

Tactics included increased patrols in violence hotspots, warrants to target those known to carry knives and weapons sweeps in areas known for discarded knives.

The Met worked closely with British Transport Police to deter people from carrying knives and drugs across transport hubs.

The operation, which was conducted by the Met’s Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF), also used early intervention methods in order to curb violent crime in communities, visiting retailers and business owners to educate on the sale of knives and ensure business owners do not sell them irresponsibly.

They additionally held 154 community meetings and engagement events and 203 school presentations involving 15,015 young people across the capital.

Chief Inspector Rob Ranstead, who led the operation, said: “Our mission is to bear down on violence and make communities safer across London – it’s our priority.

“Operation Sceptre is an intensification of the work we already do every single day and officers will not stop doing everything they can to target those carrying weapons on our streets.

“Policing alone can’t solve violent crime and I am grateful to all those partners and community members who worked alongside us during this activity and joined our efforts.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also praised the efforts of the Met in tackling violent crime, and committed to supporting the police with extra funding, and investment in schemes that divert young people away from violence.

Speaking on his behalf, deputy Mayor of London, Sophie Linden said: “Tackling violence is the Mayor’s number one priority and these latest results from the Met Police’s Violent Crime Taskforce, funded by City Hall, highlight its leading role in going after violent offenders, taking weapons off our streets and engaging with young people and communities to keep our neighbourhoods safe.