POLICE searches are today taking place across St Helens as part of the ongoing operation to tackle the issue of knife crime.

Police Tweeted a photo of a knife they found during searches.

Officers have also been using knife arches and knife wands as a deterrent, as well as working with British Transport Police and Trading Standards to carry out test purchases of weapons to educate retailers about having a responsible approach to selling knives.

Local Policing Inspector for Merseyside Police, Matt Drennan, said: “Our commitment to reducing and educating people about knife crime is now part of our daily business, and we work with partners to combat knife crime on a regular basis.

"But we cannot do this alone and everyone has a part to play. We want parents, guardians and schools to help reinforce our message to young people - if you are caught carrying a knife, you are reducing your future prospects."

He added: "A change in the law now means that anyone aged 16 to 17 years of age, who is convicted of possessing a knife for a second time, automatically receives a detention and training order of at least four months.

"For anyone aged 18 years or over they will receive a prison sentence of at least six months. The reason for this is that knives kill and people carrying knives are a threat to our communities."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.