Erewash Police Officers focus on knife crime as part of Operation Sceptre

20 May 2026 9

Knives handed in during amnesty collections in Long Eaton in May 2026. (Credit: Long Eaton SNT)

The week commencing 18th May 2026 has seen an intensification of Derbyshire Constabulary’s knife crime initiative called ‘Operation Sceptre’, with a range of activities being carried out in and around Erewash.

In addition to a year-round focus on knife crime and educating young people around the dangers of carrying a knife, Safer Neighbourhood Officers have had a presence in the community, hosting street meets, pop-up stands and carrying out knife sweeps of local parks.

Officers have also been visiting local schools and delivering impactive inputs to young people about the impact that knife crime can have and ways to support a plea to ‘drop the knife’.

**A knife sweep carried out in Ilkeston (Credit: Ilkeston SNT)**

Whilst it is the minority of people who choose to carry knives in Derbyshire, such activity can have a devastating impact, and by carrying a knife those people are also putting themselves more at risk of being hurt.

By talking in schools about the impact of knife crime and answering questions, Police officers are seeking to educate young people on the many ways that knives can shatter lives, stating that. together we can keep knife crime out of the county.

A knife sweep was carried out on Monday 18th May, there was a pop up stand on Tuesday 19th May at The New Manor Ground, the home of Ilkeston Town Football Club, whilst other activities scheduled during the week include a pop-up stand at the Rutland Sports Park and outside Ormiston School, community engagement in Ilkeston Market Place and a further knife sweep to finish the week.

Additionally, a knife amnesty bin has been sited at pop-up events and outside Ilkeston Police Station for those with unwanted knives to safely dispose of them without any consequences

In Long Eaton, an amnesty bin has been available at local pop up events, at the local Police Station and at Long Eaton Fire Station.

A number of knives and a sword were handed in for safe destruction by being placed in the knife amnesty bin located in the town, however, a statement from the Safer Neighbourhood Team said that anyone with unwanted knives that they would rather have collected, can call 101 to request a visit to their property.

**Operation Sceptre comes to the NMG in Ilkeston (Credit: Ilkeston SNT)**

The Ilkeston Safer Neighbourhood Team said that the amnesty might be of particular interest to those who may have a knife that was once legal to own privately, but, under the updated Offensive Weapons Act, this is no longer the case. Any knives handed in will be safely disposed of and it could prevent them getting into the wrong hands.

Written by: Ian Perry

Advice Derbyshire Guidance Ilkeston Knife knife crime Knives Long Eaton Operation Sceptre