DOZENS arrested in police blitz that rumbled some Greater Manchester shops

Dozens of arrests have been made and almost 50 weapons recovered as part of a blitz on knife crime in Greater Manchester. Officers arrested 47 people during the week-long Operation Sceptre scheme.

Greater Manchester Police says a number of those arrested were directly linked to knife crime but others were detained over offences that are 'very commonly linked', such as drug dealing and robbery. The force also recovered 47 knives in the week through weapon sweeps of green spaces, amnesty bins, and stop-and-search powers.

'Test purchases' were carried out in shops across the region - and some have since been rumbled by police after under-18s were able to buy knives in-store. "Knife crime is a national issue, and one we in Greater Manchester are not afraid to stand up to," a GMP spokesperson said.

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"As well as having a dedicated knife crime team, Op Venture, who are a force wide resource and part of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, our local teams in every district play an important role in the prevention, deterrence and enforcement of knife crime and related incidents." The latest crackdown on knife crime took place over the nationwide Sceptre week, from May 13 to 19.

In one location, Irlam, 24 weapons were handed into an amnesty bin - including imitation firearms and large knives. Officers also worked with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit at Altrincham Interchange to teach first aid skills, aimed at stopping and controlling bleeding.

Officers visited schools across the region to discuss knife crime, and visited targeted individuals who are 'identified as being on