Police Share Results of Week-Long Knife Safety Campaign

Devon and Cornwall Police have revealed the results of their latest work on knife safety after taking part in the national Sceptre campaign, which ran from Monday 17th to Sunday 24th November 2025.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council leads the campaign, which focuses on reducing dangerous weapons on the streets and improving public safety. This year’s theme centred on making sure bricks and mortar retailers follow the correct rules when selling knives.

Work with Retailers and Test Purchases

During the week, police officers and police cadets visited businesses across the region and carried out test purchases. Only one shop failed and was given guidance about its knife selling policy.

DCI Steve Fleetwood, Force Knife Crime Lead for Devon and Cornwall Police, said, “The theme for the week was around educating knife retailers and educating the public about the potential harm from knife carrying and knife crime. We engaged with a number of retailers, including carrying out test purchases using young people aged under 18.”

Retailers who need guidance can visit the National Business Crime Centre’s advice page for knife sales:
Training for storage, display, sale and delivery of knives

Public Awareness and School Engagement

Alongside the retail focus, officers raised public awareness through community engagement, weapons sweeps and school visits. More than 1,500 students received educational sessions on the risks of carrying knives.

DCI Steve Fleetwood added, “We also had teams out and about engaging with communities and schools, providing information to the public and answering any queries the public had. We use electronic scanning knife arches which were a great way to encourage a conversation about the dangers of knives.

“I’m so proud of the work we do, not just during weeks of intensification, but throughout the year to raise awareness around knife crime.

“I am also delighted to use this opportunity not only to publicise the fantastic work that has taken place during the intensification week, but to draw attention to the fact that over the last 12 months our data shows that knife carrying offences are down 12.2% and knife harm offences down 8.8%. This is indicative of the efforts going into preventative engagement all year round and not just during intensification weeks.

“We will continue to use every available resource to combat knife crime and keep our communities safe.”

Knives Surrendered and Where to Go for Help

Knife surrender bins were available across the Force area throughout the week, helping remove weapons from circulation. A total of 46 knives were taken off the streets.

Permanent surrender bins remain in place at local police stations. Locations can be found on the police website:
Knife surrender bin locations

Anyone with concerns about someone carrying a knife is encouraged to report it here:
Tell Us About It

Anonymous reports can also be made to Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555111, and young people can report anonymously at fearless.org.

To report a place where you do not feel safe, visit the StreetSafe page:
StreetSafe

New Knife Crime Website Launched

Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a new website called Not The One, which offers information for young people, parents, carers and teachers, including lesson plans.
Not The One website

If you want to stay informed, retailers can also access further safety guidance directly from the National Business Crime Centre using the link above.