Op Sceptre Test Purchases

Good afternoon,

 As part of Operation Sceptre, Stockport Town Centre Officers have today teamed up with GMPs Licensing Officers and the Police Cadets. We have attended numerous stores across the borough and conducted test purchases where the cadets have attempted to purchase knives. I am glad to report that no sales were reported and all the store passed the test with flying colours.  

Operation Sceptre is a national initiative which takes place twice a year, and aims to reduce knife crime by targeting those carrying weapons, disrupting the supply of knives, raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime, and providing young people with alternatives to crime.

During the week-long operation, officers across GMP will undertake a range of activities including targeted operations, weapon sweeps, visits to habitual knife carriers, and education sessions in schools to explain the dangers and consequences that come from carrying a knife.

GMP’s commitment to tackling knife crime remains a priority throughout the whole year, as we continue to work to identify those involved, address the root causes, educate our communities, provide preventative advice and ensure those carrying and using weapons are brought to justice, and this week helps highlight the on-going work taking place week in, week out.  

Operation Sceptre links closely with GMP’s longer-term initiatives; Operation Sycamore and Operation Concept, which focus on reducing and preventing violent crime involving knives and bladed weapons. Since 2019, over 4,000 weapons have been seized as part of Operation Sycamore and over 3,500 knives have been deposited as part of the GMP Forever Amnesty. In the same period, almost 800 knives have also been intercepted in the postal system as part of Operation Concept.

Regards

Stockport Town Centre Policing Team