A SAMURAI sword and 10 knives have been seized as part of a week of action to tackle knife crime in Southampton.
Between May 16 and May 22 police took part in a national week of action to challenge and reduce knife crime.
Four arrests were made, and a knife sweep in the city located three knives and a crossbow.
One of these arrests took place at 1.20pm on May 20 in Lodge Road, Southampton.
Police received a report that a teenage boy had assaulted a social worker and damaged her car in Tennyson Road.
Officers located the boy and upon arresting him in Lodge Road found a samurai sword in his rucksack and a flick locking knife in his hoodie pocket.
The 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker by beating, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and common assault.
He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue. The weapons have been seized.
As well as this, 31 stop and searches all related to knife crime were carried out in the city and 10 knives were handed into amnesty bins we set up.
Extra officers were on patrol in the nighttime economy on Friday and Saturday in which knife arches and knife wands were used outside venues.
Officers went into schools to educate pupils about the dangers of carrying a knife. Among them was PC Richards, who visited Oasis Academy Sholing every day that week to do talks in small groups with Year 8 students.
Chief Inspector John Halfacre, tactical lead for knife crime said: “With every operation, we seek to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives. While the police continue to take action to tackle those who carry weapons, we all have a duty and role to help keep each other safe.
“If you have concerns that someone is vulnerable and maybe drawn into crime or carrying a knife, speak to someone – the police, school, any trusted adult / professional – let’s get them the help they need and prevent future tragedies.
"In addition, if you have any information about someone carrying a knife or using weapons involved in violence, report it to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
If you are aware of anyone who carries a knife or have concerns that someone you know may carry a knife, please report it to police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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