POLICE seized a total of 11 weapons in the borough during a week-long crackdown on knife crime.

Last week officers from Merseyside Police supported national initiative Operation Sceptre, taking action against knife crime and aiming to highlight the risks that carrying a bladed weapon can bring as well as targeting offenders who use and carry knives.

During the week, mounted police were in St Helens town centre on four occasions seeking to give reassurance to the public. High visibility police patrols and knife wands were used at the local train and bus depots.

As well as seizing 11 knives in the town, officers made nine arrests for suspicion of possessing a bladed article, one arrest on suspicion of possessing a prohibited weapon and one arrest on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

The issue of knife crime has particularly come under the spotlight in St Helens following the multiple stabbings in the town centre in April which resulted in the death of 20-year-old Ryan Lamb.

St Helens area commander Louise Harrison said that police would be stopping and searching people more often and vowed to place a higher police presence on the streets.

A dispersal zone was set up a couple of weeks ago in which police used handheld metal detectors as part of a crackdown in the town centre.

Four St Helens primary schools were also visited by police during last week's operation and knife awareness literature was distributed and test purchases were carried out at seven premises.

Merseyside Police has hailed the campaign a success

Across Merseyside a number of weapons, including 24 knives, were seized – and a total of 62 arrests were made for a variety of offences including possession of a bladed article.

In Knowsley one knife was seized and one person was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article. Officers carried out high visibility patrols in parks and 21 ‘walk-throughs’ in pubs, with 29 test purchases conducted by police cadets and 12 stores signed up to a responsible retailer agreement.

Chief Inspector Keith McLachlan said: “The purpose of the week was not as a knee-jerk reaction to any individual incident but to demonstrate the ongoing work that Merseyside Police does on a day-to-day basis to combat knife crime.

“We want the public to feel reassured that the Force is committed to reducing violent crime and making sure that our streets remain safe."

Chief Inspector McLachlan added: “We are grateful for the support of the community and our partners in carrying out this work and we will continue to work towards removing knives and dangerous weapons from our streets and bringing those responsible for carrying – and using – them to justice.

“Knives are dangerous and there is no place for them on the streets of Merseyside. Using a knife can have devastating consequences not only for the victim and their family but also the offender. I would urge people to educate themselves, speak to their children and family members and prevent the repeat of any tragedies.

"We will act on all information reported to us around knife crime. Anyone with information can call police on 101 or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“Information and advice about knife crime is also available at https://www.merseyside.police.uk/advice-and-protection/crimes-against-people/knife-crime/ or follow @merseypolice on Twitter for all updates."