PCC marks national knife crime week with education milestone and community action
17.11.25 - Merseyside
Merseyside Police is joining forces across the country for Sceptre – a national week of action to tackle knife crime, running from 17 to 23 November.
As part of the campaign, the force is marking a major milestone for its education programme, Operation Prospect, which has now reached more than 20,000 young people across Merseyside since launching in November 2024.
Operation Prospect delivers a powerful message: prevention through education. The programme helps secondary school students understand the devastating consequences of knife crime for individuals, families and wider communities.
Through immersive assemblies featuring real-life police scenarios, students witness the fast-paced decisions officers make when responding to armed incidents. These sessions were developed through collaboration between Safer Schools Coordinator Faye Smith, local schools, and the Matrix Firearms team, who bring frontline experience directly into classrooms.
The programme also tackles the stigma around “grass culture,” encouraging young people to speak up and report concerns – whether to a trusted adult or anonymously via the charity Fearless.
Superintendent Phil Mullally, lead for knife crime and serious violence said: “Sceptre is a vital opportunity to showcase the proactive work we are doing to tackle knife crime. Operation Prospect reinforces the message that carrying a knife is unacceptable and that no good can come from carrying one.
“The causes of knife crime are complex, but early intervention and addressing root causes are essential. We remain committed to working collaboratively with partners and communities, building on the success we’ve already achieved to make Merseyside safer.”
Alongside education, officers will carry out a range of proactive operations during Sceptre, including:
- Stop searches and search warrants
- Intelligence-led weapon sweeps and open land searches
- Deployment of knife detection arches
- Test purchase operations
- Free bike marking events to prevent theft and robbery
- High-visibility patrols in areas most affected by knife crime and violent crime
These patrols contributed to a 28.8% reduction in serious violence (145 fewer offences) in hotspot areas last year (2024-25), with 300 arrests and 40 offensive weapons seized.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (23 October 2025) show knife-enabled crime in Merseyside fell by 8% in the year ending June 2025 – down to 1,179 offences from 1,276 the previous year. Nationally, knife-enabled crime dropped by 5%.
Officers will also work with Trading Standards to carry out test purchase operations, ensuring retailers comply with laws prohibiting the sales of knives to under 18s. Education sessions will follow to help prevent knives from getting into the hands of young people.
The week of action is also an opportunity for people to surrender knives or any bladed articles at drop-off points in 10 police stations across Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton and Wirral. Over the past year, 203 knives were handed in by members of the public during the surrender period.
Superintendent Mullally added: “Our commitment to removing knives from our streets remains unwavering, and we urge the public to report any concerns about individuals carrying weapons in their community.
“We take a firm stance against anyone found carrying a knife or bladed article illegally. If you have any unwanted or illegal weapons, please use this opportunity to dispose of them safely by dropping them into a local police station.”
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Knife crime shatters lives, devastates families, and causes lasting damage to our communities. Every incident has a profound impact, which is why tackling it remains one of our highest priorities.
“While we have seen a very welcome 8% decrease in knife-enabled crime locally, our approach must be relentless and multi-faceted, and the national Sceptre campaign is an important opportunity to reinforce the message that carrying a knife is never the answer.
“Education is key to preventing harm, so the fact our Operation Prospect programme has reached more than 20,000 young people is a huge milestone. By bringing real-life policing scenarios into classrooms, this programme helps young people understand the life-changing consequences of carrying a knife – not just for victims, but for those who make the wrong choice and their families too.
“Through our Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, we are committed to tackling the root causes of serious violence using a public health approach. This means investing in early intervention, supporting families, and funding innovative projects that give young people positive alternatives. Initiatives like Mentors in Violence and Knifesavers, are crucial in changing attitudes and creating safer futures.
“Sceptre give us all a chance to drive home these messages and remind everyone that enforcement alone isn’t enough. We need communities, schools, and families to work with us. There is never a good reason to carry a knife, and every weapon surrendered is one less that could cause tragedy.”
Further information about the knife surrender can be found here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/2025/november/knife-surrender