East Area police intensify action against knife crime.

East Area police are uniting with other police forces across the country in Operation Sceptre, intensifying action to tackle knife crime and wider violence that started on Monday 26th of April until May 2nd.

In London the Met will increase its operational activity throughout the week, as well as provide a crucial focus on education, diversion and prevention.

East Area BCU are committed to dealing with knife crime and violence as the top priority. More than 60 officers a day are taking part in activities designed to take weapons of our streets, deal with perpetrators of violent crime and educate our young people around the dangers of knife crime. We are working with schools and colleges to put on knife crime workshops throughout the week.

We have carried out more than 60 weapon sweeps throughout the BCU in areas around schools and areas young people congregate in order to get weapons of our streets and protect our community.

There have been significant results within the first few days of the operation. Following a weapon sweep in the Gascoigne Road area in Barking on Tuesday, 27 a loaded firearm was found. We made arrests for serious offences including attempted murder, GBH, armed robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. Officers also intercepted a hunting knife in Romford. #OpSceptre

More info here: https://news.met.police.uk/news/met-ramps-up-activity-to-tackle-knife-crime-in-national-operation-425970