South Yorkshire Police (SYP) have been taking part in a week of action known as \u2018Sceptre\u2019 to highlight the work officers do daily to combat knife crime offences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detective Superintendent David Cowley, SYP\u2019s force lead for violent crime, said: \u201cUnfortunately we have seen too many incidents that involve knives this year, with one incident resulting in a life being lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not acceptable, and we will endeavour to reduce the number of knives on the streets of South Yorkshire.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This comes after a Sheffield knife attack made national news in March, when 24-year-old Sacad Ali was fatally stabbed to death in Ponderosa Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the year 2023, there were 1532 serious offences involving a knife in South Yorkshire according to the Home Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Street Reach is an organisation dedicated to helping young people involved in knife crime, amongst other things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesperson said: \u201cHelping these young people is difficult but essential, and Sceptre week is so important to lower the levels of knife crime in Sheffield to keep our streets safe.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Activities at the event will include conducting knife test purchase operations, delivering informative and educational sessions in schools and carrying out patrols in locations identified as hotspots of serious violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n