Operation Sceptre knife week results in 21 arrests across the Fylde coast

Operation Sceptre, which takes place nationally twice a year, saw resort officers carry out a range of crime-busting activities last week.

They also used metal-detecting arches and ‘wards’ in the street to catch those carrying blades, and visited local schools to give talks to youngsters.

Throughout the week, 148 stop searches were carried out on the Fylde coast, with 29 uncovering weapons, drugs, or stolen goods, the force claimed.

Sgt Jim Ormand, from Blackpool Police, said that, aside from making the 21 arrests, officers seized three knives, two pairs of scissors, two hammers, a knuckle duster, and an imitation revolver.

And it wasn’t just resort officers helping with the operation – 29 police cadets played a part in knife sweeps and test purchases in shops.

Sgt Ormand said: “Across Blackpool and the Fylde coast, we carried out 37 test purchases with the cadets.

“There was only one fail, which was The Range, off Parkinson Road in South Shore.

“We pointed this out to the manager who carried out a retraining to staff and when we carried out another test later in the week the

store passed.”

Fifteen cadets took part in a knife sweep at Revoe Park on Saturday, inset.

In 2019, a Gazette investigation showed knife crime went up immediately after an amnesty relating to Operation Spectre – with 99 reports in the two weeks after compared to 95 in the fortnight before.

Thugs planning blade attacks are “unlikely” to surrender their weapons.

The Range was contacted for a comment.