Last week police teams across South West London collaborated in a crackdown against knife crime in the community.

Hundreds of officers from Kingston, Richmond, Merton and Wandsworth took part in Operation Sceptre – a twice-yearly national campaign to raise awareness around the dangers of carrying a knife.

From Monday, 26 April to Sunday, 2 May, local police stepped up weapons sweeps, proactive patrols and educational talks across South West London.

Operation leader of the South West Basic Command Unit (BCU), Superintendent Andrew Wadey, said:

“I want to stress that south west London is a safe place to live, work and study. We have some of the lowest serious violence in London.

“However, there are a small number of people that do engage in violent activity, whether linked to drug supply trade or street robbery.”

During Operation Sceptre police teams upped patrols in crime hotspots to target high harm offenders.

Police presence increased in Tooting, Balham and the Northcote and Wandsworth Common wards – where there have historically been issues with after school robbery.

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The British Transport Police took part in the operation by deploying knife arches and drug detection dogs to deter criminals near transport hubs.

Whilst community weapons sweeps and advice to hand in knives at any of the 12 nominated police stations or at ‘Words for Weapons’ knife bins, were encouraged.

However, Mr Wadey stressed that education is also vital for preventing violent crime.

“For many people, the impact of knife crime can be quite an abstract concept, because it doesn’t happen to everyone,” he said.

But several knife-related homicides have brought the devastating reality of knife crime closer to home.

The tragic loss of 15-year-old Joseph Marafini from Wandsworth and 19-year-old Archie Beston from Kingston have reiterated the need for action.

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Officers attended local schools last week to highlight the dangers and dispel myths about dangerous weapons.

“Young people may feel they need to carry knives for their own protection. However, someone carrying a knife is three times more likely to become a victim.”

The Superintendent urged residents to contact independent charity Crimestoppers, via their campaign Hard Calls Saves Lives. 

“It might be a difficult call to make if someone close to you is on the fringes of knife crime. However, making that call won’t necessarily lead to their incarceration but it might be that key opportunity for us to intervene in a positive and preventative manner,” he said.

Commander Alex Murray, the Met’s Violence Lead, added:

“The impact of knife crime on families and communities in London is devastating, which is why we are also asking for communities to work with us or give information about knife crime, or anything they may know about violence in their area, to Crimestoppers – your anonymity is guaranteed.

It might feel like a hard call, but it could save the life of someone’s son or daughter.”