Schools take part in national 'Operation Sceptre' initiative

Young people across Glossop have taken part in a series of knife crime awareness sessions and community safety activities as part of the national campaign - Operation Sceptre, from 18th-24th May. 

The week-long initiative, coordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and supported by all 43 police forces in England and Wales, aims to tackle knife crime through enforcement, prevention, education and community engagement. 

As part of the campaign, PCSO Brian Buller from the Glossop Youth Engagement Team delivered sessions on anti-social behaviour, crime awareness and positive decision-making to Year 6 pupils at several schools across the area. 

Sessions took place at St Luke's CofE Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, St Charles' Catholic Voluntary Academy and Dinting CofE Primary School. 

Pupils at several of the schools also received Derbyshire Constabulary’s “Shattered – Knives Shatter Lives” presentation, which included information about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives alongside a video titled “There is no safe place to stab”. 

PCSO Buller also visited the Army Cadet Centre on Fauvel Road to deliver a knife crime awareness presentation to local police cadets. 

Knife sweeps were also carried out by officers in a number of public spaces, including Bankswood Park, Conduit Street Park, Manor Park and Gamesley Woods Trail. 

A knife amnesty bin was made available outside Glossop Market Hall to allow people to safely and anonymously surrender knives. 

Police said the operation focused on four key areas: enforcement activity, education and prevention work with young people, knife surrender schemes and retailer compliance checks aimed at preventing knife sales to under-18s. 

PCSO Buller thanked local schools, staff and pupils for their engagement throughout the week and praised young people for their participation during discussions on difficult subjects.