24/05/2026
As the week closes the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team wanted to shed some light on their work this week. The team have been dedicating their time to Sceptre activities.
Sceptre is a national policing initiative aimed at tackling knife crime and serious violence.
It usually runs during dedicated “intensification weeks” across police forces, where officers focus on:
🚔 Proactive enforcement – targeting people who may be carrying knives or weapons.
👮 Visible policing – high-profile patrols and operations (like metal detector screenings) to reassure the public.
🧑🏫 Education and prevention – working with schools, youth groups, and communities to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime.
🫵Disruption of criminal activity – stop searches, weapon sweeps, and intelligence-led activity.
📍 The overall aim is not just enforcement, but to prevent harm and protect communities, especially young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in violence.
🚓 This week the team have:
🗣️ Visited young people who are at risk of being involved with violence, ensuring they are safeguarded.
🗺️ Conducted Hi-Viz foot patrols around Malmesbury Town ensuring all retail premises are displaying Challenge 25 signs.
🔪 Worked with our under 18 Chippenham Police Cadets and conducted knife test purchases at main supermarkets and educating retailers who failed the test purchase.
👮 Conducted plain clothed patrols and visited known weapon carriers.
🫵 Met with colleagues from Gloucester Police for further targeted patrols.
