11 arrested and 200 checks in major knife-crime operation

Part of ongoing crackdown across county educate young people on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife, and to reduce the number of knives on the streets.

- By Newsletter reporter

POLICE made 11 arrests after carrying out more than 200 stop checks as part of an on-going crackdown on knife-crime in Staffordshire.

Knife-crime education events were held at shops across Stoke-on-Trent while three retailers signed up for responsible knife retailer scheme.

Police community support officers (PCSOs) joined members of the violence reduction team (VRT) at Westbridge Park in Stone to conduct a knife sweep.

Officers were also out in force, inset, in other parts of the county speaking to members of the public about knife-related crime and providing reassurance.

The police operations were s part of the campaign #DitchTheBlade and a national drive on knife-related crime.

The activity linked in with Sceptre and throughout the operation in our county:

Intelligence-led stop and searches and proactive arrests were carried out with 11 people arrested