Eight Thanet arrests in county-wide knife crime crackdown

County-wide knife crime operation Photo Kent Police

Eight arrests have been made in Thanet as part of a crackdown on knife crime.

Operation Sceptre was a national campaign, designed to support targeted enforcement and raise awareness of knife crime, running from March 11-17.

In Kent, more than 26 weapons including knives, blades, a chainsaw and a baseball bat were recovered by officers put on dedicated patrols to support Op Sceptre.

County-wide 62 people were arrested, 150 people were stopped, 83 people were searched and ten search warrants were executed. More than £97,000 in cash was seized, suspected to have been gained through criminal activity, and more than 350 wraps of class A drugs, believed to be cocaine and heroin, were discovered.

Following the successes of Op Sceptre in the county, Kent Police says it will continue its level of enforcement action targeting those who think it is acceptable to carry knives.

Kent Police Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: “Reports of knife crime have increased across the UK and have been well-documented in the media. Kent is a safe county and we plan to keep it that way.

“Officers take a zero-tolerance approach to knives and weapons in our communities at all times but the successes of Op Sceptre mean we will be continuing this high-level of enforcement action.

“Those who carry knives or weapons say they do so for protection but our experience shows those who carry knives are more likely to be hurt or arrested.”

The continued enforcement will see uniformed and plain-clothed officers carry out extra patrols to detect and deter habitual knife carriers.

Searches have been carried out by PCSOs today (March 20) in areas including Madeira Walk and Albion Gardens.

Partnership working with other agencies such as British Transport Police, councils and education providers will also continue.