Suffolk Police make 15 arrests during Operation Spectre to tackle knife crime

Suffolk Police has made 15 arrests during a week long operation focused on reducing knife crime in the county.

Operation Spectre ran from Monday, May 13 to Sunday, May 19 and saw officers carry out high-visibility patrols, 16 weapon sweeps and visits to individuals suspected of carrying knives.

Fifteen people were arrested in Suffolk resulting in two people being charged.

Patrick Houghton, 49, of Osborne Street, Lowestoft, was charged on Monday, May 13 with threatening a person with a kitchen knife.

He appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty and is due at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, June 10.

Iryna Zarudna, 44, of Heath Road, Ipswich, was charged on Thursday, May 16 with possession of a bladed article in a public place.

She is due to appear at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday June 4.

Suffolk has nine amnesty bins in Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Haverhill, Mildenhall and Stowmarket and 1,283 knives were recovered from them.

During the operation, the police also visited colleges and schools and held community engagement events as well as visiting retailers to check the safety of knife sales by not selling to anyone under 18.

Acting Inspector Ed Scott said: “Sceptre is not a one-off; enforcement activity and disruption continues throughout the year.

“The week of action simply allows us to shine a spotlight on the efforts that are carried out day in, day out, to tackle knife crime in Suffolk.

“It is a multi-agency operation and we work closely with partners, education settings, community groups and businesses to address the issue, understand how we can solve the problem and help prevent the number of people injured or killed by a knife.

“Prevention is as important as enforcement. Some young people think that carrying a knife makes them safer, but the opposite is true – carrying a knife can make them more vulnerable.”

Police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I am really pleased to see the constabulary’s excellent results following this national intensification week to tackle knife crime.

“Sceptre gives the constabulary an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and also to tackle the crime with targeted enforcement - I fully support this approach.

“It is so important we work with schools, businesses and parents as we will only make a difference if we work together.

“Talking about the consequences of carrying a knife – both at home and at school – is so important.

“As a parent I know how difficult these conversations can be, but I would urge parents and carers to discuss the dangers of knife crime at home. We really do need to continue joining our work to eliminate this dreadful scourge on Suffolk society."