What is Op Sceptre?

Operation Sceptre was launched in July 2015 by The Metropolitan Police Service with the aim of reducing knife crime and the number of families affected across the whole of London.

The launch coincided with new legislation that meant those convicted of carrying a knife for the second time will face a mandatory custodial sentence. There have been several Op Sceptre weeks of action in an attempt to counter a nationwide rise in knife crime. February 2018 saw all police forces come together in the first national response to Op Sceptre.

This year, the week runs from September 16^th-22^nd

 Keeping national momentum, police forces across the country have adopted local strategies to tackle the threat of knife related issues. Alongside a number of tactical approaches to proactively tackle knife crime, Hampshire Constabulary are placing equal emphasis on education and engagement.

Working in partnership with education establishments, statuatory /voluntary organisations, parents and young people, we aim to raise awareness about the risks and impact carrying a knife/weapon can have on individuals and the community. Taking this positive work beyond targeted weeks of action, we aim to establish longer-term working relationships with schools to support them with educating pupils about knife crime to help to keep young people safe, supported and informed.

This information offers advice, ideas and resources to guide schools and colleges to work alongside the police; encouraging effective working practices to tackle knife crime to reduce the threat and risk of harm posed to young people, education environments and the wider community.

Hampshire police have dedicated youth education and engagement staff to provide schools with advice and support to develop joint working opportunities; contact via the Safe4me* contact page: https://www.safe4me.co.uk/contact/

 The role of schools in tackling knife crime

Whilst it is accepted that schools are very safe places, with knife tragedies mostly happening out on the street, there is a critical role for schools to play in educating young people about the influences, risks and consequences carrying knives/weapons can have to encourage safe and responsible choices

Ofsted have recently carried out research into how London schools are dealing with knife crime, not only looking at how schools are protecting pupils from the threat of knives while they are in school, but also how they are educating pupils about the dangers of carrying a weapon outside of school.

Many schools have been tackling this head on for a long time, yet it is now clear that all schools, no matter their location or context, must develop approaches that safeguard children from this growing threat – recognising that anyone can be the victim of knife crime as more young people carry knives.

At Oaklands, all students have been told in their Expectations Assembly that weapons (or any item that could be used as a weapon) are not permitted in school. We have made it clear we will always involve the police with any incident in school. We also listen to information students and parents share with us regarding incidents or concerns outside of school and we pass any credible information on to the police.

Equally, in our PDC lessons and in The Oaklands Way tutor activities, we cover this topic to help educate our students about knife crime.

The police have asked us to make you aware of the following link which allows adults and young people to anonymously report any concerns yourselves:

Crimes stoppers, anonymous reporting – http://reportaknife.com/