Over 250 knives and blades have been taken off the streets.

Cheshire Police recently took part in Sceptre, a national campaign led by the National Police Chiefs' Council focusing on tackling knife crime.

Running from Monday, May 18, to Sunday, May 24, this year's campaign saw a particular focus on children and young people, with officers and community partners visiting 38 schools and youth organisations across Cheshire.

The force also worked with youngsters to conduct test purchases at 21 retailers across all nine Local Policing Unit areas, educating retailers on the correct laws and regulations that prevent blades falling into the wrong hands.

Proactive operations that ran over the week included knife sweeps across town centres and parklands, more than 50 community meetings and public‑facing engagements, deployments at railway stations, and amnesty opportunities.

These combined efforts resulted in a total of 260 weapons being recovered, including 10 here in Congleton.

Police were deployed to railway stations across the county as part of the week-long campaign (Credit: Cheshire Police)

Chief Inspector Joe McNally, Cheshire Constabulary's Knife Crime Lead, said: "Over the course of May's Sceptre week, we saw some great examples of community engagement and partner relationship building that will help us continue to push the message that Cheshire is a hostile environment for anyone who chooses to carry a weapon.

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"We have been busy working with our partner organisations, including local councils, charities, third‑sector organisations, young people and community groups, in conducting a number of activities such as knife sweeps, the delivery of safety demonstrations and the rolling out of knife arches and surrender bins in densely populated areas.

"Our officers have also been visiting the county's retailers along with colleagues from trading standards to conduct test purchase operations, ensuring that knives are not falling into the wrong hands.

"It was very reassuring to see that the majority of retailers are aware of the relevant rules and regulations surrounding the purchasing of what can be lethal weapons.

"When it comes to issues as serious as knife crime, it is so important that everyone feels that they can come forward to us with any concerns so we can take swift and immediate action and keep our communities safe."