Pictures show Sheffield police search for weapons in 'known stash points' as part of knife crime operation
Police have braved the cold as they search spots that could be hiding knives as part of a national operation.
Officers across Sheffield have been taking part in Operation Sceptre, a coordinated national effort to highlight the work police forces do year-round to detect, prevent and reduce knife crime in local communities.
And now, South Yorkshire Police have shared pictures revealing a glimpse of the work being carried out as they raise awareness about the dangers of carrying a knife.
Police have been searching several locations that are known to be used by criminals to store weapons.
The pictures show officers hunting through bushes and planters as part of their work to keep knives off the streets
A spokesperson for the force said: “This work is something that we carry out all year-round to detect, prevent and reduce knife crime within our local communities. We are sharing these snapshots as part of Sceptre - a nationally-led week of action tackling knife crime.
“Officers from our Sheffield Neighbourhood Policing have been busy conducting open land searches around several locations - checking stash points known to be used by criminals to conceal illegal items such as weapons.”
Locally, knife crime has become an increasing area of concerns for communities, and in just the last week a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article after reports of a fight at Sheffield College.
The college announced that it had worked with South Yorkshire Police to introduce a knife arch onto the city campus after the incident, as others call for similar weapon-detecting measures to be introduced in all schools.
Detective Superintendent David Cowley, the force lead for knife crime, added: "Throughout the year, our officers work hard to keep you - our local communities - safe from knife crime, so this week is business as usual for us.
“However, Sceptre does allow us to highlight this work and provide a dedicated week to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives.
"We all have a role to play in changing the perceptions around carrying knives.
“If you think someone you know is habitually carrying a knife, be that a family member or maybe a friend, please challenge them and have an open honest conversation about the dangers of carrying knives.”
Anyone looking to find more information, or choose a different path if you feel like you need to carry a knife, is advised to search ‘Knives Take Lives’.