Thames Valley Police seized 120 knives and sharp objects across Buckinghamshire during last week's Operation Sceptre.
Op Sceptre ran from Monday 26 April to Sunday 2 May, and saw police officers from across the force take part in activities to help reduce knife crime.
These activities included knife amnesty bins being placed in police stations, including here in Milton Keynes. This meant that during the week, anybody could safely dispose of bladed objects anonymously and without fear of being punished.
Police officers also conducted weapon sweeps throughout the city, searching concealed public spaces where weapons could be hidden to be readily available for crime.
Last Thursday, while out in Hodge Lea, officers discovered a large knife next to a public footpath. This knife was seized and destroyed.
And now that Operation Sceptre has come to an end, Thames Valley Police has published their findings.
Overall, a total of over 250 knives and bladed articles were handed in throughout the week. The largest amount of blades came from Buckinghamshire; police seized 120 knives.
Aside from actively taking knives off of the streets, officers visited local schools to launch the PC Ben initiative.
PC Ben is the title and hero of a new storybook that neighbourhood policing teams will be using as part of visits to schools, helping to explain the role of the police and promote positive interactions with children now and for the future.
In addition, 85 test purchase operations were also carried out in partnership with Trading Standards, cadets and police volunteers at retailers across the force as well as officers attending community meetings and conducting high visibility patrols.
Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt, force lead for Operation Sceptre, said: “Thames Valley Police is wholly committed to reducing the threat of knife crime within our communities.
“Operation Sceptre is a national week of action that highlights our work to tackle this crime type, however it is important to stress that our work continues beyond this week of action.
“The public have an important part to play also in helping to keep knives off our streets. They can help us as additional eyes and ears in our fight against serious violence and knife crime. By making a report to us you could help save a life.”
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police added: "If you are worried that someone you know is using violence or is carrying a knife, please report it. We can then take the necessary steps to safeguard them and identify those responsible.
"If you need to report a knife related crime to police, please report it to us online via our website, call 101 or dial 999 in an emergency if there is an immediate danger to life."
