OVER 120 knives were handed in to Warwickshire Police during a week-long police operation, while a further 10 were found by officers in county parks and waste grounds.
The force took part in the national Operation Sceptre intensification week to combat knife crime.
Officers across the county took part in 55 operational and community engagement activities during the week.
They included visits to community groups, clubs, schools and colleges, leaflet drops to venues including taxis, shops and schools, visits to retailers, test purchase operations, and the screening of a 45 minute film on knife crime and associated criminality and exploitation which was attended by 98 people.
Ch Supt Emma Bastone from the force’s Local Policing unit said: “Officers from our Safer Neighbourhood Teams have immersed themselves in Operation Sceptre and their proactive endeavours are a reflection of the commitment to combat this type of criminality that can devastate peoples lives.
“While knife crime in Warwickshire is low compared with many other force areas, sadly and unusually, we have dealt with three incidents over the course of the week in Rugby, Nuneaton and on the outskirts of Coventry.
“We completely understand public concern and would like to offer reassurance that our focus on preventing these crimes will not diminish now that Operation Sceptre is concluded. On the contrary, we will be doing everything in our power to ensure that the people of Warwickshire are safe and remain safe from knife crime.
“Community intelligence is a vital component of our investigations and subsequent prosecutions. Please call us on 101 if you have knowledge or suspicions of weapons being illegally carried, possessed or sold in Warwickshire.”