207 knives have been recovered across South Division as part of Operation Sceptre, a national week-long initiative to tackle knife crime.

Officers from South Division, which covers the areas of Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire, carried out a range of both operational and proactive engagement work throughout the week.

The five knife surrender bins across South Division were emptied, in which 203 knives were recovered. Weapons included machetes, cleavers and a dagger.

Officers also conducted six search warrants and a number of stop searches throughout the week.

Nineteen weapon sweeps were carried out across the division and test purchases were conducted at 20 retailers with the support of Lancashire Police Cadets from across the division.

Proactive engagement involved community meetings, school talks and leaflet drops.

Sergeant Nick Miller from Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network said: “It’s great to see that the public have really engaged with this week of action to tackle knife crime.

“Through activity like educational inputs in schools, weapon sweeps and test purchasing operations, we will continue our work to make South Division a safe place to live and work.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden said: "I am really pleased to see the results from Op Sceptre which clearly show the impact of the work that the Violence Reduction Network, Lancashire Constabulary and partners are carrying out across Lancashire.

"Every single knife that is taken off the streets, whether surrendered using one of the knife bins across Lancashire or as part of the vital work of our officers, is one less weapon that could end or ruin lives.

“In leading the fight against crime, I will continue to support this vital work to prevent knife crime and bring those who carry knives and endanger lives to justice."

You can find your local knife surrender bins at:

Preston

Onward Homes, Princess Street, Avenham, PR1 4HS

Kingsfold Community Centre, Kingsfold Drive, PR1 6EQ

Gamull Lane, Preston, PR2 6SJ

West Lancashire

Digmoor Community Centre, Skelmersdale, WN8 9HR

Tanhouse Community Centre, Skelmersdale, WN8 6AN