Mansfield homes targeted for illegal weapons as part of knife crime crackdown

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police targeted properties in Mansfield where illegal weapons were due to be delivered from overseas.

However, UK border control intercepted the parcels and informed the relevant police forces, who tracked down the residents who ordered the parcels to ask them to hand over any other illegal weapons.

A similar operation took place in Nottingham yesterday, which led to 17 weapons being seized.

The Mansfield leg of the operation, which took place this morning (September 18), was led by Inspector Nick Butler, Mansfield District Commander, along with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Regional Disruption team.

Your Chad went along with officers to the first home, where a knife usually used to cut tree branches was seized.

Officers approached the front door to speak to the resident.

They were handed a letter about prohibited weapons, while the weapon was handed over willingly for destruction.

Insp. Butler said: " We seized a blade used for chopping branches off trees, which was handed in voluntarily.

"It's quite easy to order knives from the internet, and it is an offence to import knives and weapons.

"Mansfield is a safe place however incidents do happen and they are tragic, so anything we can do to prevent these things happened is really important

"This week of knife crime action is highlighting the work the police and the community do every week.

"These home visits, the knife arches - this kind of work is happening every week, we chose to highlight it this week so the community can get involved and support us."

Sej Modha, an EMSOU Regional Disruption Team officer, said: "Since January 2019, there has been 345 interceptions of offensive weapons heading to the East Midlands, of which 95 were destined for Nottinghamshire.

"Importing knives to the UK from overseas is illegal - even if the weapon is one that would otherwise be legal to possess in their home.

"Today's operation is aimed at raising awareness and very much geared toward and educational approach and providing support where appropriate. When we carry out the visits like today we explain the law and make it clear that action will be taken if they do it again."

The home visits are part of Operation Sceptre, a nationwide campaign aimed at reducing knife crime.

Events will be taking place all week, including a new knife crime education programme for year six children, a weapons sweep with metal detectors, visit to individuals on the knife crime risk register, and a uniformed hot-spot patrol in Layton Burroughs and Mansfield Town Centre.

A knife amnesty is also being held across the county this week, with bins in the Kirkby Partnership Hub, Mansfield Magistrates' Court and Mansfield police station.

Insp. Butler added: "Mansfield's a safe place however incidents do happen and they are tragic, so anything we can do to prevent these things happened is really important.

"This week of knife crime action is highlighting the work the police and the community do every week.

"These home visits, the knife arches - this kind of work is happening every week, we chose to highlight it this week so the community can get involved and support us.

"If people do go on to carry and use them, then the punishments going to be significant - we will arrest and we will prosecute."

"If you carry a knife, the person most likely to get hurt with it is yourself and we don't want that to happen.

"Mansfield is a really safe place, knife incidents are extremely rare - I read every single incident that comes in in a 24 hour period when I arrive at work and I can reassure people that it's very, very rare but it does happen.

"People still carry knives and as part of our operations in the town centre and other areas, we are doing stop and search, we are speaking to people and we are acting on information so if you use a knife, carry a knife or use a knife, please expect a visit from us."

If you know of anyone carrying a knife, you can contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.