Essex Police officer's warning during Op Sceptre Week

It comes as Essex Police runs Operation Sceptre Week in a bid to crackdown on knife crime across the county.

Det Chief Insp Ian Hughes, who is leading the efforts, said Colchester is one of the force’s three priority areas for action.

He insisted work is being done 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, and that the awareness week isn't a gimmick.

Off the streets - knives collected in an Essex Police knife bin (Image: Essex Police)

He said: “Colchester city centre is an area where we are working with the night time economy. We are also looking at working with the schools.

“The Community Policing Team in Colchester has a plan of action in terms of education and carrying out proactive weapon sweeps and test purchasing within the town centre.”

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Essex Police now has access to Open Gate systems, which offer a transportable version of a knife arch, also being able to detect weapons as well as metal.

It means multiple venues in Colchester can benefit from on the door protection during the same night.

Determined - Det Chief Insp Ian Hughes (Image: Essex Police)

Removed – Essex Police has said knife bins have contributed to a fall in knife-enabled offences (Image: Essex Police)

Mr Hughes said: “They are far more flexible and, importantly, they are much more discreet too.”

Handheld Garrett weapons detectors are also available to officers who cover bustling retail areas which will improve the stop-and-search process.

But Mr Hughes said officers need more powers from the Home Office to be able to seize blades.

“We can go into an address and see a knife which is quite clearly not there to butter your bread or cut your Sunday roast and we do not have the powers to seize it,” he added.

New kit - Sgt James Mint and Insp Paul Hogben with an Open Gate in Clacton (Image: Essex Police)

Figures show there has been a 14 per cent reduction in reported knife crime cases in Essex over the past 12 months compared to pre-pandemic levels.

In the 12 months to March this year there were 1,622 reported knife crime offences in the county.

Mr Hughes said: “Essex is a safe place to live, work and visit and the chances of people being affected by knife crime is very slim.

“You do not need to carry a knife to protect yourself. Carrying a knife is only going to put you at risk.

“The assumption that people need to arm themselves with knives to protect themselves is a real myth that we want to bust.”

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