Operation Sceptre-‘We are working with all members of the community to reduce violence across the area.’

This week Police Officers across the country are running Operation Sceptre- an operation aimed to reduce violence, particularly knife crime on our streets.

Officers across East Area are embarking on a whole series of planned actions to tackle violence across all three boroughs.

Sergeant Bargus who works on the Violence Focus Desk, spoke with the Havering Daily about the work being done across our borough.

“Operation Sceptre is being run across all departments on East Area. It is a week where we intensify our engagement. Our awareness emphasis is working with young people in schools and other areas.

“Our schools officers are currently running the Junior Citizen week where they host assemblies on knife crime and gangs.

“Safer Neighbourhood officers are working with retailers making sure they are aware of the new legislation in regards to the selling of tools and possession of blades.

“There are many weapon sweeps going on right across the three boroughs.”

Officers have been focusing for months now on removing dangerous weapons from our streets, and their intensified work, including intelligence led stop and search. has seen many bladed weapons including a Samurai sword removed.

“Our Borough Commander has worked non stop, visiting all teams across East Area to make sure the reduction of violence is a priority.

“We are doing our best to make sure the public feel as safe as possible.”

Sergeant Bargus has spent many years visiting schools talking with pupils about knife crime and how the police engage in stop and search. Scenarios are held for pupils to join in and see the difficult situation officers are often placed in tackling crime.

“We hold different settings for pupils to join in, to show them how it feels to be in our shoes. To humanise it and show them that we are not just a uniform.

“Pupils have the chance to ask us questions and join in to see another side of the work se do.”

This week has so far seen a lot of intensified work right across Havering, including the swift arrest of a teenager who was seen brandishing a gun outside a shopping area.

“We are working very hard with all community groups to try and reduce the level of violence and make sure the public feel as safe as possible,” finished Sergeant Bargus.

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