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Operation Sceptre visits Stansted Airport College

Photo of policeman with sniffer dog

As part of the ongoing work to tackle knife crime in the county, officers from Stansted Airport joined staff at Stansted Airport College to raise awareness around the dangers of knife crime to prevent students from carrying knives. 

On Tuesday 22 October, knife arches were set up to screen students as they entered the campus with search dogs also present from Stansted Airport’s Dog Section.

Stansted Airport Tactical Team Sergeant Chris Gould said: "Stansted Airport College have always been very supportive of the work we do to reduce knife crime and prevent harm coming to members of the community.  

"We've worked with the college on a number of occasions to raise awareness around the seriousness of carrying a knife and as part of Operation Sceptre - the national week of action to tackle knife crime - we were once again working with them, and today, we’re using a knife arch to screen the students as they enter the campus and also providing drugs, cash and weapons search dogs to scan students. 

"The college seeks to take positive steps before an issue arises so today’s visit is a preventative measure to remind anyone thinking of carrying a knife about the consequences of these actions. Ultimately knives can cost lives in the very worst cases and in others people may find themselves facing prosecution or even prison if they are caught with a weapon.

Sergeant Gould added; "We didn’t find anything which caused us concern and that’s a really positive thing. We'd like to thank the staff for their support and the students for their patience and cooperation and hope that today's activity highlights just how seriously we take knife crime. 

“We are taking action every day to tackle knife crime and identify those carrying weapons and this is just another way we are protecting Essex and keeping people safe.

“We have also provided demonstrations from Stansted Airport Dog Section to promote the role of our dogs.” 

Assistant Principal, Sallyann Abdelmoula, said: “We are pleased to work in partnership with Essex Police to educate young people about the risks associated with carrying knifes. We aim to advise our young people about possible serious consequences to them and how to avoid these risks.”

If you know someone who is carrying a knife, call 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk 

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity completely anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
Always call 999 in an emergency.

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