Operation Sceptre: What Schools, Parents and Young People Need to Know

What is Operation Sceptre?

Operation Sceptre began around 2015 as a series of focused weeks of police action against knife crime. It now runs nationally, usually twice a year, often in spring and in November. During each week, all 44 police forces in England and Wales step up their work to take knives off the streets and to prevent young people from carrying them in the first place.

It is not only about enforcement. A large part of the week is education, early intervention and working with schools, youth services, charities, health services, Trading Standards and local communities.

What do police do during the week?

Activity varies by force, but usually includes:

• Knife surrender bins and amnesties, where anyone can hand in a knife at a police station or other drop-off point without being questioned.
• Weapons sweeps, where officers search parks, alleyways and other public spaces for hidden weapons.
• Intelligence-led stop and search, targeted at people police have reason to believe are carrying weapons.
• Test purchases, where police and Trading Standards check whether shops will sell knives to under-18s.
• School and youth visits, where officers talk to young people about the risks and consequences of carrying a knife.
• Knife arches at stations and town centres in some areas.
• Social media campaigns using the hashtag #OpSceptre.

What has it achieved?

The numbers from past weeks show the scale. In the March 2019 week of action, forces reported 10,960 knives seized, found or surrendered, 1,372 arrests and 3,771 area searches. Of 689 shops test purchased, 130 sold a blade to someone under 18, a failure rate of almost 19 per cent. In the November 2020 week, almost 10,000 knives were handed in through surrender schemes and 2,005 people were arrested.

Every knife handed in is one fewer that can be carried, lost or used. But numbers alone do not change behaviour. Lasting change comes from young people understanding that carrying a knife makes them less safe, not more.

What the law says about knives

Young people often do not know the law, and some believe myths. The key points for England and Wales are:

• It is illegal to carry a knife in a public place without a good reason. The main exception is a folding pocket knife with a blade of 3 inches (7.62 cm) or less.
• It is illegal to carry a knife on school premises, including a small folding knife, without a good reason.
• Carrying a knife illegally can lead to up to 4 years in prison, even if it is never used. Repeat offences can bring a minimum custodial sentence.
• It is illegal for shops to sell knives to anyone under 18.
• Some weapons are banned outright, whatever your age. Zombie-style knives and machetes are banned, and ninja swords were banned from 1 August 2025 in England and Wales.
• "It was for protection" is not a legal reason to carry a knife.

Why do young people carry knives?

Most young people never carry a knife. Those who do usually say it is for protection, because they feel unsafe, have been threatened or believe others are carrying. Others are pressured or exploited, for example by older people involved in county lines drug dealing, who may make children hold or carry weapons.

This matters for safeguarding. A child found with a knife may be a victim of criminal exploitation as well as someone who has broken the law. Schools should treat it as a safeguarding concern and follow their child protection procedures, not only their behaviour policy.

How schools can use Operation Sceptre

Operation Sceptre gives schools a ready-made reason to start the conversation. Ideas:

• Deliver our free KS3 Operation Sceptre lesson plan during the week of action.
• Invite your Safer Schools or neighbourhood police officer in. Our police lesson plan generator helps officers prepare a session.
• Remind staff of the signs that a pupil may be carrying a knife or being exploited, using our Know the Signs resources and Knife Crime CPD module.
• Share the week on your school social media and newsletter, with information for parents.

Before delivering any session, speak to your DSL. Some pupils may have been directly affected by knife crime, and the content may be upsetting.

Advice for parents and carers

Talking to your child about knives does not make them more likely to carry one. Pick a calm moment, ask what they have heard, and listen without overreacting. Be clear about the law and the risks. Let them know they can always come to you if they feel unsafe or are being pressured. Our Parents Corner article on talking to your child about knives has more practical tips.

Warning signs to look out for include unexplained new possessions or money, secretive behaviour, new older friends, going missing, or a knife missing from the kitchen.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call 999.
• To report a concern to police that is not an emergency, call 101.
• Young people can report knife crime anonymously through Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, at fearless.org.
• Children and young people can talk to Childline free and confidentially on 0800 1111.
• If you are worried about a child, follow your school's safeguarding procedures or contact your local authority children's services.