Kent Police Crack Down on Knife Crime in Operation Sceptre
Kent Police went all out in the national Operation Sceptre campaign, running from 26 April to 2 May 2021. Their mission? To stamp out knife crime with full force. The results were striking.
54 Arrests and 72 Knives Off the Streets
Across Kent, uniformed and plain-clothed officers made 54 arrests linked to possible knife offences. They conducted 351 stop and searches during the week-long blitz. British Transport Police pitched in at train stations, using knife arches and sniffer dogs to sniff out weapons and drugs. At Canterbury East station, a man carrying a lock knife was caught and arrested.
Officers also combed public spaces for weapons, targeting hotspots like Temple Hill in Dartford, a car park in Maidstone’s Knightrider Court, and parks in Folkestone. In total, 72 knives were seized — including 20 voluntarily handed in by the public.
On the Frontline: Police and Partners Unite
“Tackling knife crime remains a force priority,” said Detective Superintendent Shaun White. “Operation Sceptre enables us to work closely with partners to remove weapons from our streets. Our officers work relentlessly to keep communities safe, backed by our county line and gang teams.”
Nearly 50 retailers were visited across Kent to remind shop staff of the laws about selling knives. Posters and warnings about age restrictions and safety measures were encouraged. Plain-clothed officers even tested shops in Maidstone — and all passed the age checks, challenging buyers on knife use and purpose.
Big Bust in Chatham – Minister Joins the Action
On 27 April, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse joined Kent officers in a high-profile raid at Melville Court, Chatham. They seized a large machete, another knife, crack cocaine, and heroin. Two men, Jacob Laws, 18, from Chatham, and 19-year-old Leonard Warner from Enfield, were arrested and charged with drug supply offences. Both remain in custody, awaiting their Maidstone Crown Court hearing on 27 May.
National Fight Against Knife Crime
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on knife crime, said: “Knife crime devastates communities. We are committed to taking weapons off the streets, targeting offenders and stopping young people from joining the violence. Enforcement is vital, but tackling root causes means working with partners beyond the police. We want communities to feel safe and prevent these incidents before they happen.”
Know Someone at Risk? Contact Kent Police
If you suspect someone is carrying a knife or involved in knife crime, don’t stay silent. Call Kent Police on 101. You can report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form.
