64 knives seized and 24 arrests made during Merseyside knife crime crackdown

Merseyside Police have seized 64 knives and arrested 24 people as part of a national week-long operation aimed at tackling knife crime.

The initiative to tackle knife crime, known as Operation Sceptre, ran from 19–25 May and saw police forces across England and Wales working together to reduce knife-related violence. Officers across Merseyside carried out proactive work throughout the week, including 218 stop and searches, targeted patrols, weapons sweeps and the use of knife detection arches in busy areas.

Police also executed 34 warrants and searches as part of the crackdown.

During the week, 50 weapons – including knives, swords and other bladed items – were handed in by the public through a surrender scheme. A further 14 knives were recovered by officers, including four machetes, during arrests, open land searches and stop-and-search activity.

In one instance, a 44-year-old man who was already subject to a Serious Violence Reduction Order was stop-searched in Liverpool city centre. He was found to be carrying a blade and was arrested.

The operation also included efforts beyond enforcement. Officers carried out free bike marking sessions across the region, checking 142 bikes and adding 126 to the national bike register to help deter theft and identify stolen property.

Young people played their part too. The Citizens in Policing Team ran knife crime awareness events for school pupils, including visits to the Museum of Policing and team-building walks with Mini Police from Liverpool schools. Police cadets in St Helens also got involved with a weapons sweep while engaging local residents around safety and community support.

Commander Stephen Clayman, national lead for knife crime, visited Merseyside during the operation to see local initiatives in action. He visited Everton in the Community to experience a virtual reality project showing the real-life consequences of knife crime. He also attended St Edward’s College in West Derby to hear more about Operation Prospect – a school programme helping students understand the dangers of carrying weapons.

Superintendent Phil Mullally, Merseyside Police’s lead for serious violence and knife crime, said:
“The results from Sceptre give a snapshot of what our teams do every day to keep our streets safe. Every knife taken off the streets is potentially a life saved, and we’ll continue to work with schools, local groups and the public to educate, prevent and enforce.”

He added:
“We urge anyone with concerns about knife crime to speak out. Whether you come to us directly or use one of the anonymous services, every bit of information helps.”

How to report concerns
If you believe someone is carrying a knife, or if a crime is happening right now, call 999. For non-emergencies, call 101 or contact Merseyside Police on social media via @MerPolCC on X.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

If you’re a young person worried about knife crime or want help to leave it behind, speak to a trusted adult or contact Fearless – an anonymous service that helps young people speak up safely. Visit fearless.org.

Anyone affected by crime can also access support from the Victim Care Merseyside Hub by calling 0808 175 3080 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm) or visiting victimcaremerseyside.org any time.

Get more news around Liverpool here.