More police searches are being carried out in Sheffield this week in a crackdown on knife crime.

Police officers are stopping more people on the streets to root out those carrying weapons and knife arches are being used to flag up anyone armed in a public space.

Officers are also conducting searches of open spaces in a bid to find weapons which may have been discarded or hidden.

The crackdown this week forms part of a nationwide police initiative known as Operation Sceptre, which aims to tackle knife crime by reducing the number of people carrying weapons.

Police officers are taking art in a nationwide knife crime operation this week

placeholder image — Police officers are taking art in a nationwide knife crime operation this week

South Yorkshire Police said: “Our officers will be conducting weapons sweeps and doing proactive patrols across the city centre area, along with continued educational messages to young people about the dangers of carrying knives.

“If you have concerns about someone you know carrying a knife or need to speak to someone about knife crime call our non emergency number 101.”