The easing of lockdown restrictions has allowed an opportune time to seize dangerous weapons off Macclesfield's streets.

Three local men were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place after a car was stopped and searched by officers.

Three knives, two axes and two hammers were seized by the officers in Macclesfield.

Several knife sweeps were held and several Maccesfield retailers were visited to ensure that robust protocol is in place regarding the sale of knives.

It was part of Operation Sceptre a nationwide campaign to reduce the impact of knife crime.

Overall, 48 knives were seized and 42 people across Cheshire were arrested.

Additionally, knife crime presentations were delivered to a large number of Macclesfield schools.

Bleeding Control Kits were given to a wide range of community venues across the county.

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This will provide potentially life-saving to any stab victims, who may have been attacked at police stations, shops and shopping centres, theatres, pubs, recreation centres, sports clubs, cafés, parks, railway stations and community centres.

Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, who is Cheshire Constabulary's knife crime lead, said: "Nationally, knife crime is a growing problem, and the week-long Operation Sceptre campaign is an initiative that the force is always more than happy to support.

"We were severely restricted in terms of the work we could do during last year's two weeks of action for Operation Sceptre, with them having fallen when the country was in lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"With us now out of lockdown and certain restrictions having eased, there were more engagement and enforcement options available to us during the latest week of action.

"We grasped these with both hands to tackle knife crime across Cheshire."

The operation started on April 26 2021.

Chief Inspector Heath added: "Knife crime is an issue that the force tackles throughout the year, not just during weeks of action.

"We have a multi-faceted approach to tackling knife crime and take the issue extremely seriously, with officers working day and night to protect communities.

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"We are proud of the fact that Cheshire has a lower rate of knife crime than most other counties in England, with the number of knife-related offences committed in the county having decreased by 24 per cent from the end of March 2020 to the end of March 2021.

"When people carry knives, it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life-changing injuries or is killed, and if you carry a knife then you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime.

"As all the statistics show, carrying a knife doesn't make you safer.

"Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour – through education, awareness and action – to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife, or feels that there is a reason to do so.

"However, the police cannot achieve this goal on our own. Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of the whole society.

"If you have any information regarding knife crimes, or those who carry weapons, please let us know.

"If you know someone who carries a knife, reporting it to the police could be enough to save a life."

Retailers also have an important role to play, by helping to ensure that weapons are not falling into the wrong hands. They are urged to have robust controls on the sale of blades, such as kitchen knives.

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To report any type of crime involving weapons, call our police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be passed to Cheshire Constabulary online via this webpage.

Anyone who knows someone that carries a bladed weapon can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by clicking this link.

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