Warwickshire Police has launched a week-long operation to cut down on knife crime in the county.

Operation Sceptre will run from Monday, November 15 to Sunday 21 and is part of a national programme to reduce violent knife crime.

According to UK Crime Stats there were 435 arrests for possession of weapons in Warwickshire between October 2020 and September 2021.

Whilst knife crime rates in Warwickshire are lower than other areas Warwickshire Police said it is "totally committed" to ensuring "streets remain safe".

Superintendent Mike Smith said: "Operation Sceptre provides a great opportunity to reinforce work that our officers undertake all year round to tackle knife crime in the county.

"People who have knives that they do not need, or no longer wish to carry, are urged to take this opportunity to dispose of them safely.

During the campaign officers will do targeted stop and searches and weapon sweeps and complete test purchases of knives from shops.

Officers will also be promoting new laws which make it illegal to possess knuckledusters, zombie knives and death stars in private.

Supt Smith added: "Knives can be taken to police stations in Leamington and Nuneaton or deposited in mobile bins as our officers visit various community locations.

"This will ensure that these items never fall into the wrong hands, with potentially devastating consequences for victims and their families."

(Image via West Midlands Police)