Operation Sceptre: Tackling knife crime in our county

Just Drop It

Bedfordshire’s New Anti-Knife Crime Campaign.

Roseann Taylor has been the inspiration behind the Just Drop It campaign. Her son Azaan was tragically stabbed to death in Luton in 2018. He was just 18 years old.

Roseann now works for us at the county’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit. She doesn’t want any family or young person to suffer like she has.

We are sharing AJ’s story so people will Think Twice. Think Life. And Just Drop It.

What defines knife crime? 

Knife crime is simply any crime that involves a knife.

This includes:

• carrying a knife or trying to buy one if you’re under 18
• threatening someone with a knife
• carrying a knife that is banned
• a murder where the victim was stabbed with a knife
• a robbery or burglary where the thieves carried a knife as a weapon

Why do people carry knives?

Did you know only 1% of young people carry knives?

Some young people say that they carry a knife for protection or to make them feel safer, even though they wouldn’t think of using it. However, research has shown that you’re actually more likely to become a victim of crime if you’re carrying a knife.

If you have considered carrying a knife – or are already carrying – there are things you need to think about.

• By carrying a blade you put yourself at higher risk of injury or death
• You could face a £5,000 fine and four years in jail – even if you don’t use it
• If you are found to be illegally in possession of a knife or bladed article you could be arrested, charged and sentenced to time in prison – you will now have a criminal record
• Countries such as America and Australia could deny you entry because of your criminal record

In some cases, teens have been injured or even killed by someone else using the knife they were carrying.

The impact and implications of knife crime extends much further than you. It's important to consider how it might negatively affect your friends and family too.

What are the police doing to tackle knife crime?

We are working hard to proactively drive down knife crime in Bedfordshire.

Preventing young people from being drawn into gangs is a big priority and we are tackling this by working with partner agencies and charities, including Bedfordshire’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit, to identify young people at risk and help them turn their life around.

It is important to show our young people an alternative path and break the cycle of gang violence and exploitation.

Operation Rowan and Sparkler patrols, run by officers from our Boson guns and gangs unit, regularly run specialist patrols in the areas most affected by knife crime and the drivers of serious violence, such as drug dealing and gang activity. As a result we have seen a 37% reduction in serious violence across Bedfordshire.

As well as a way of enforcing serious or repeat offenders, these patrols also act as a deterrent and give officers the opportunity to engage with young people about gang issues.

Operation Sceptre, gives us the opportunity to highlight the work we are doing to tackle knife crime, by organising weapon sweeps and high visibility patrols, giving educational talks in schools, and engaging with and educating retailers.

We are also part of the Bedfordshire Against Violence and Exploitation, a countywide campaign that raises awareness and encourages the reporting on all forms of serious youth violence and exploitation, especially those linked to organised crime and county lines.

We do ask anyone with information on knife crime in their local community to report it to us, as this helps us to build a better picture of the areas we need to target to help keep people safe.

There is no place for knife crime within society and we will continue to do what we can to tackle this.

How can I get rid of a knife or weapon?

We have a number of weapons bins across the county and every knife surrendered is one less dangerous weapon in circulation on the streets of Bedfordshire.

The locations of the bins have been selected based on where we have seen an increase in serious youth violence and knife crime, using information from our community policing teams and from our Boson guns and gangs team, cross matched with intelligence.

You can dispose of your knife at any one of the following knife bins:

• Bedford Square, Houghton Regis
• Dunstable Police Station
• Leighton Buzzard Fire Station
• Tomlinson Avenue, Luton (in the car park for St. Dominics Square)
• People's Park, Luton (on the corner of North Street and Havelock Road)
• Just off St George's Street, Luton (between Don Miller's and Lloyds Bank)
• Saxon Leisure Recreation Centre, Biggleswade
• Morrisons, St Francis Way, Shefford
• Church Lane shops, Goldington, Bedford
• Commercial Road/Costin Street, Bedford (near the basketball courts)
• St John's Street, Kempston (in the car park opposite the Co-op)

We would advise people to ensure that the knife is wrapped up and secure as if you are stopped by an officer, you would need to prove that you are on your way to a weapons bin to actually dispose of it, as opposed to someone who is found with a knife concealed in their clothing.

Just because the knife has been surrendered, doesn’t mean it won’t be sent off for a forensic examination. If it’s found to have been used in crime, then you will not be immune from prosecution just because you have surrendered it.

As a young person, what can I do if a have concerns about knife crime?

If you are a young person worried about knife crime, or are involved with it already, it is not too late to get help. You can talk to your teacher, or another adult or professional you trust – there is plenty of support available.

If you are nervous about talking to the police, Bedfordshire’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit is on hand to support you; whether you have any concerns about knife crime, want to get out of a gang or want to find out more information on the consequences of knife crime.

Where can I get support if I’m worried my child is involved in knife crime?

If you are a parent, guardian or carer, it’s understandably worrying if you find out that your child is carrying a knife, or that they are involved with people who do. It’s important that you talk to your child and keep communication open with them.

Speak to them about the serious consequences of carrying a knife and try to find out why they feel the need to carry a knife. It could be that they don’t feel safe, or because their friends do. It’s important to get to the reason before you can address it.

Carrying a knife could be a sign that your child is involved in gang related crime. It is important that they know you want to listen and support them. Make sure they know they have a choice.

The Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit provides support for all people affected by youth violence.

You can find out more about what we are doing to tackle serious youth violence at Bedfordshire Against Violence and Exploitation.

How can I report knife crime?

To report concerns about knife crime, please report via our online reporting centre or call us on 101.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They will never ask for your name or try to trace the number that you're calling from.

In an emergency always dial 999.