Police in Derbyshire, including in Alfreton, are taking part in a national operation to keep knife crime out of the county.
This week is Operation Sceptre, the national knife crime week of intensification, and police up and down the county are taking part in a variety of activities.
A spokesman for Derbyshire Constabulary said: “Some of this activity will not be so publicly obvious. However, during the week you will see officers out and about and engaging with communities, as well as taking part in other anti-knife crime activities with local groups and schools.
“Key activities you may see are knife sweeps, knife amnesty bins, school inputs and also information sessions and stalls, where you can go and speak to officers about any concerns or queries you may have, as well as if you simply want to find out more about what we do to tackle knife crime.”
Superintendent Sarah McAughtrie, the operational lead for knife crime across Derbyshire, further explained: “In Derbyshire, teams and partners work together tirelessly to reduce serious violence and knife crime all year round and during this week we will be highlighting this amazing work and doing even more.
“We understand that it is a small minority of people who feel that it is acceptable to carry a knife. However, the consequences can be devastating when they do, and we want people to continue to feel safe when they go out and to understand that carrying a knife brings with it more risk than protection.
“Throughout the week, we will be highlighting a vast range of what we do around knife crime, including how we work with local authorities and schools to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.”
Superintendent McAughtrie added: “We do also need the public to help us by looking out for each other and telling us if they have concerns about an individual who they believe may be considering carrying a weapon or actually doing so.
“We can act on that information to make sure everyone is equipped with the information to make the right decisions, decisions that can have a huge impact on their future.
“Operation Sceptre is a great opportunity to get people talking and to make people think twice.”
The police spokesman said: “If you know or think someone is carrying a knife then please speak to someone and let us know using any of the following methods:
• Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
• Website – complete the online contact form.
• Phone – call us on 101.
“You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website.”
They continued: “As well as this, a key feature of Operation Sceptre is hosting a knife amnesty. This allows people to hand in their unwanted knives to various drop off-points at police stations around the county.”

This year, amnesty bins will be hosted by local teams at various locations. Here are the remaining dates and venues for across Derbyshire:
Tuesday 14 November
Kinsgway Retail Park, Derby
Belper, 10am-12pm
New Mills Promenade, 4pm-5pm
Lidl, Glossop – 4pm-5pm
Wednesday 15 November
Allenton Shops 12-2
Caxton Park, Littleover
Somercotes and Riddings – 10am-12pm
Alfreton – 1pm-3pm
Thursday 16 November
Arboretum Park, Derby
Ripley, 11am-1pm
Farwater Lane, Dronfield
Station Road/Railway Street, Hadfield – 4pm-5pm
Screwfix, Hadfield, 12pm-2pm
Friday 17 November
Alvaston Shops 12-2
Normanton Road
Heanor – 11am-1pm
Shirebrook
Saturday 18 November
Southgate Retail Park, Derby
Sunday 18 October
Vicarage Road Park, Littleover

To find out more go to https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/news/derbyshire/news/campaigns/2023/november/joining-the-national-fight-against-knife-crime/