Dorset Police intensifies efforts to tackle knife crime
Dorset Police has intensified its efforts to tackle knife crime with a week of action in support of the national Sceptre campaign.
The Force has taken part in the initiative, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), to raise awareness around knife crime and educate the public on the dangers of knife carrying.
This phase of Sceptre, running from Monday 17 November to Sunday 23 November 2025, focused on the responsible retailing of knives by both online and ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers.
During a week of activity, two intelligence led weapon sweeps were carried out in parts of Weymouth and Bournemouth, and a total of eight public engagement events using knife arches were hosted across the county.
Test purchases of knives took place at local businesses with the support of the cadets and officers spent time engaging with retailers to ensure they were following the appropriate safety guidelines for legal selling and distribution.
Multiple retailers were visited across Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth, with two stores failing after the cadets were able to purchase knives without being challenged. Members of staff were offered advice by officers and the stores were referred to Trading Standards.
Knife surrender bins were made available at police stations, with people who carry knives encouraged to surrender them without repercussions from police.
As well as this, firearms officers delivered presentations to more than 2,000 pupils at 16 schools across the county, educating them on the dangers of knife carrying and offering them support.
Visits were also made to individuals suspected of carrying knives, with ten visited in the BCP area and nine in the rest of Dorset, and a proactive warrant was carried out in the Boscombe area which resulted in a lock knife being seized and a warning issued to the carrier.
Another teenager was also found with a knife in Weymouth as a result of intelligence gathered as part of Operation Sceptre.
He was arrested, charged and remanded to court, before pleading guilty to possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.
He was fined, handed a youth referral order and a three-month overnight home detention curfew, with a destruction order issued for the weapon.
Detective Superintendent Andy Bell, knife crime lead for Dorset Police, said: “Although Dorset has low rates of knife crime and is a safe place to live, it is important that we continue to engage with national campaigns such as Sceptre as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle knife related offences.
“We have had a very proactive week, carrying out a range of enforcement activities and hosting public engagement events, completing test purchases at retailers, as well as delivering educational presentations to thousands of children in schools across the county.
“This work is crucial as we relentlessly strive to remove knives from our streets and pursue those who choose to carry and use them.
“Although the week of action has concluded, I want to be clear that tackling knife crime is a priority for the Force throughout the year, and our efforts to maintain Dorset as a safe place to live will continue.”
If you have any information or concerns about someone carrying a knife, please report it to Dorset Police online via the website.
You can also report any information anonymously to CrimeStoppers UK on 0800 555111. Your information could help save a life.
Retailers can visit this website for guidance on selling knives: www.nbcc.police.uk/knifeguidance
Image gallery:
select image to download