Sussex Police Launch National Week of Action on Knife Crime

Sussex Police have launched a national week of action as part of Operation Sceptre, a campaign aimed at tackling knife crime across the UK. The initiative includes targeted patrols, community engagement, and enforcement activities to remove weapons from the streets.

Operation Sceptre is supported locally by Martin Cosser, whose son Charlie was fatally stabbed near Horsham in July 2023. The campaign seeks to highlight the dangers of carrying knives and reduce weapon-related incidents. Chief Inspector Jim Loader, Sussex Police’s force lead for Serious Violence and Knife Crime, stated, “One knife being carried on the street is one too many. This campaign showcases our year-round efforts to keep our communities safe.”

In the last campaign in May, over 550 weapons were removed from Sussex streets. Officers engaged with schools, colleges, and retailers to promote education and enforce age-related sales policies. Recent legal changes now ban the possession of zombie knives and machetes in private places, marking significant progress in addressing knife-related violence.