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#LifeOrKnife |
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OP SCEPTRE!
OPERATION SCEPTRE is a national initiative led by police forces across the UK, including West Midlands Police, aimed at tackling knife crime and serious violence. It involves a coordinated week of action that typically includes weapon sweeps, knife amnesty bins, school visits, community engagements, and targeted patrols.The operation supports long term strategy to reduce knife possession and educate communities - especially young people - about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives. West Midlands Police collaborates with local partners, schools, and charities during Operation Sceptre to reinforce prevention and intervention efforts. This is all happening all week between Monday 19th and Sunday 25th May 2025.
#LifeorKnife- the choice is yoursThe Life Or Knife website is aimed at all young people, parents and teachers. It provides information on where to report or talk to someone about knives and where you can anonymously dispose of them. It also includes lots of information on the devastating impact knives can have on you and others, guidance on how to talk to your child about knives, and resources that can be used in schools. The #lifeorknife campaign, which has been informed by the region’s schoolchildren, teachers, police officers, doctors, paramedics and members of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission, encourages children to talk about knife crime with parents, teachers and peers.
Signs you might want to talk to your child about knife crimeIf they have become withdrawn from the family and school, changed their behaviour, achievement or school attendance. If they might have lost interest in hobbies and old friends and now hang around with a new group, staying out late and being vague about where they go. If they have become secretive and defensive, particularly about what’s in their bag and might even told you that they need to carry a knife. If you’ve noticed knives are missing from the house or may even have found one in your child’s bag or coat. These things seem easily explained as part of the difficult teenage years, but it’s still important to talk to them about knife crime. How to have the chatPick a place and a time where you can comfortably chat together. Your child might be reluctant to talk to you, so it might help to start by watching a relevant video or news article. Ask them if they understand what knife crime is about. Be patient, get them talking, reassure them that they can be honest with you about their fears and worries. You are there to listen and support them.
What you might want to sayYou might want to share your own fears about their safety and their future. Tell them that even when they feel they don’t have choices, they do. You might have a story from your own childhood you can share about a time you felt pressured into acting a certain way or a recent news story you could reference. Explain that the bravest thing to do is walk away from a fight, particularly one where someone has a knife. That while walking away is never easy, it’s easier than getting seriously hurt or being responsible for killing or injuring someone else. You might want to discuss excuses your child could use to help them walk away, such as 'I have to go and pick my little brother up,' - or decide on a ‘code’ where the child can message you asking you to call them so that they can use your call as an excuse to walk away. Reassure them by saying many young people don’t carry knives.
Weapon Surrender BinsA weapon surrender bin is a secure container where you can safely dispose of a knife, blade or other weapon. Once deposited in the bin the weapon will be removed by professionals and destroyed.
Please feel free to share across Social Media platforms.Please continue to look out for further updates from the team on our X (formerly twitter) page @WolvesPolice | ||||||
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