Operation Sceptre: police forces join national campaign to crack down on knife crime

Police forces in the North West are taking part in a national week of action to help raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and the work being done to stop it.

Merseyside Police are beginning their week of action today - carrying out stop searches, weapons sweeps, opening knife amnesty bins, and increasing patrols in busy areas.

Police officers are urging communities to join the conversation and help to take weapons off the street together.

In Greater Manchester, police are running a campaign in response to the rise of weapons being hidden in public places, rather than being carried by an offender.

"Open Your Eyes to Knives" will see the GMP force releasing photographs on their social media pages, and asking people to spot the hidden knife.

People are being urged to join the conversation using the hashtag #StopKnifeCrime.

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