Community Safety Team assist police with weapons sweep
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Our Community Safety Team supported Bedfordshire Police with Operation Sceptre last week (15 to 19 May) – a dedicated week of action to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime.
Last Wednesday (17 May), members of our Community Safety Team joined the Biggleswade Community Policing Team on a weapons sweep in Shefford and Clifton, searching for hidden or discarded weapons. During the search, the team found a metal bar, which was disposed of.
Nicholas Williams, a Safer Communities Officer who took part in the weapons sweep, said:
We supported Operation Sceptre, as we know the police can’t tackle knife crime alone. We are committed to ensuring that people living in Central Bedfordshire feel safe, and by getting out and about on a weapons sweep like this, we are sending a strong message that we are proactive about tackling important issues like knife crime.
Inspector Grant Maxted, from the community policing team in Biggleswade said:
We’re pleased to once again be partnering with the Community Safety Team during Operation Sceptre, to conduct weapons sweeps and high visibility patrols across Biggleswade.
This week of action allows us to really highlight the impact of knife crime on our local communities and be proactive in our response to it. An important element of this is to shine a light on criminal activity that has strong links to knife crime, such as drug dealing and county lines.
We would continue to encourage local residents to report any concerns they have regarding these types of illegal activity. With the support of the community we are able to intervene at the earliest possible stage and ensure Bedfordshire remains a safe and welcoming county for all.
County Lines, drug dealing, and associated exploitation are key priorities for the Community Safety Team, as highlighted in their 2021 – 2024 strategy. As part of its work to tackle these issues, the Community Safety Team has commissioned the Solomon Theatre Company to deliver their powerful production of ‘Skin Deep’ to pupils in year 9,10 and 11, equipping them with knowledge and resources to stay safe.
The performance focusses on knife crime and the associated dangers of grooming, County Lines, gang membership and coercive relationships. It has been performed at 11 schools across Central Bedfordshire.
Find out more about our Community Safety Team.
If you’re concerned about knife crime in your area, call Bedfordshire Police on 101, or email community.safety@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress, call 999.