Knife Crime
Op Sceptre
OP Sceptreis a campaign through which the Police and Partner Agencies raise awareness of knife crime. This can include posters, social media updates, school presentations or supporting knife amnesties in the Swindon and Wiltshire area.
Wiltshire Police work alongside Swindon and Wiltshire Partner Agencies to ensure that during Op Sceptre, you have access to Knife Amnesty bins in Swindon and Wiltshire.
A knife amnesty bin is where you/a friend can drop your knife or a found knife with no repercussions, no questions asked and NO FOLLOW UP from Police. This is an anonymous drop off at a site in your local community. Knives are better off in these bins, then used in a potential incident. But we need your HELP in getting them off the streets.
There is no safe place to be stabbed on your body. It doesn't matter where on the body the knife strikes, there is no safe place. The blade can do irreversible damage to your body, leaving you with life-changing injuries, life-threatening injuries, or even death.
If you carry a knife you are more likely to be injured by that very knife. When a knife is used its used to cause serious harm and even death. If you don't carry one it can't be used against you.
Did you know that 99% of 10-29 year olds don't carry a knife? There is a widespread assumption that more people carry knives now when in reality they don't. Its far more common to NOT carry a knife
What would you do?
Would you stand by while a mate got themselves into danger by carrying a knife?
Would you talk to them about the dangers they are getting themselves into, or the dangerous people they are connected with?
Or would you be brave and inform someone of what you know, to save you friend from either being a victim of knife crime or using that knife against someone else?
Please see our signposting tab for more guidance on what you can do next or who you can go to to get some support.
How to stay safe
If you find yourself in a situation where you are having to carry a knife, due to threats/intimidation/protection, here’s what you can do to try and keep safe:
- Can you open up and talk to a trusted adult about your situation? If you can, they may be able to help and guide you on how what your options are and where to go next
- If you feel you are unable to speak or report anything to Police, you can give information anonymously via www.fearless.org
- If you know a friend is carrying a knife or weapon, again you can use www.fearless.org to report this. Remember it’s not snaking/snitching/grassing – you’re saving a friend!
- Speak Up - Broadoak Academy | Avon and Somerset Police – Video in relation to young people speaking out against knife crime
Situations involving carrying a knife
We have below a few different type of scenarios involving/using/carrying knives. Read the scenarios and the options below.
Scenario 1
Somebody you know at school comes in an says that someone has mugged them off and they are going to shank them. You hear that they have a knife in their bag. What are you going to do?
- Tell a trusted adult - police, parents, guardians, teachers
- Report anonymously (school anon reporting / fearless.org)
- Do nothing because someone else will
To do nothing is not acceptable - we all have the responsability to try to save our friends. If you know any information regarding carrying knives and you do nothing with this information you could get into trouble with the police for withholding information
Scenario 2
You recognise a picture of someone on social media who is involved in a stabbing in your town. What would you do?
- Tell a trusted adult - police, parents, guardians, teachers
- Report anonymously (school anon reporting / fearless.org)
- Report it to the police on 101
To do nothing is not acceptable - we all have the responsability to try to save our friends.
Scenario 3
A teacher find a knife in your bag. Its not yours but you know who put it there. What should you do?
- Be open and honest with the teacher and give them as much information as you can
- If you were pressured into carrying the know you need to talk to a trusted adult who can help you. If you can't talk, maybe you could write it down? Could you show them a note on your phone? Or direct them to social media?
If you feel you can't talk to a trusted adult or teacher, please report any information on www.fearless.org anonymously.
Remember this could affect you too and if someone is asking you to hold a knife r another weapon are they really your friends? By doing this they are also putting you in danger
If you know any information regarding carrying knives and you do nothing with this information you could get into trouble with the police for withholding information
Scenario 4
You are at the park and someone you are with takes out a knife and uses it to threaten someone else for their mobile phone. What should you do?
- Phone 999 and get yourself to safety. You don't have to tell them who you are but please try and provide as much detail as possible such as location, description of person, description of weapon / knife see and any direction of travel by the subject
Doing or saying nothing is not ok. You have a responsibility to act and report it either via police or via www.fearless.org
If you know any information regarding carrying knives and you do nothing with this information you could get into trouble with the police for withholding information
Videos
Please take a moment to watch our short video around knife crime: All Op Sceptre Videos - Wiltshire College and Wiltshire Police - YouTube This video has been made with Wiltshire College students. Worth a look.
For more information on knives and the legalities around knife carrying – please see the below Link:
Knife crime | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) This site has a wide range of information from custodial sentences if you’re caught carrying a knife, to what is classed as a knife.
Police Stop and Search and your rights as a young person
Why do Police carry out stop and search?
Stop and Search is a very important tool for the Police to use for their community that they serve. This tool is very effective when it’s used in the correct way in the fight against knife crime. This allows Police to make everyone account for their location and or behaviour for a justified Policing reason.
Stop Searches should always be video recorded by the attending Officer’s Body Worn Video Camera.
https://youtu.be/j-3i2P1ms14 Please watch this video which may explain more.
Stop & Search
Police have the power to stop and search any person if they have 'reasonable grounds' to suspect that person may be carrying something that is against the law or could cause harm to others. This could include illegal drugs, a knife or weapon, stolen items or an item that could be used to commit a crime.
Examples of 'reasonable grounds' could include:
- a member of the public has reported that someone is carrying something they shouldn't be.
- somebody matches the description of who they are looking for.
What are your rights to Stop and Search?
- The officer stopping you must explain the reason why the Police are stopping you and searching you
- The officer should be treating you with respect and dignity
- if English is not your first language, and you do not understand why you have been stopped, reasonable steps must be taken to provide you with information in your own language
- the search must take place near where you are stopped, except in instances where moving you would protect your privacy
What happens if you caught by Police Carrying a knife/weapon?
- Immediately you are arrested as this is an OFFENCE to carry a weapon or bladed article in public
- You can end up with a criminal conviction for carrying weapons. So, when it comes to getting a job, an enhanced check may reveal this conviction to any potential future employers
A conviction could lead to a prison term, even if the knife isn’t used
Signposting
This section is full on links to further websites that could assist you when it comes to finding out further information on knife crime.
Why carry a weapon? - The Mix – Information on what to do if you want to get out of carrying a knife and where and how to dispose of a weapon safely
Knife crime | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) – Fearless have created their own simple page referring to any information on knives/weapons and the implications of carrying a weapon or knife.
Knife Crime Stories | The Ben Kinsella Trust – Real life stories of young people who have lost their lives through knife crime
Stop knife crime | Wiltshire Police – Wiltshire Police website with some amazing information on it
Home - Kooth – A Swindon based charity who you can talk too
Young victims of crime - Victim Support – Victim Support who can support you through any crime that has happened or provide general advice.