National knife crime centre links 1,364 weapons to seizures and recoveries
The National Knife Crime Centre has coordinated the seizure or recovery of 1,364 weapons and contributed to 94 charges during its first six months, as police target online sellers and the importation of prohibited knives.
The Home Office-funded centre, hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), launched in April to help forces disrupt the supply of dangerous weapons before they reach criminal markets.
Between 2 April and 28 September, it identified 186 suspected grey-market weapons sellers, reported 183 social media accounts for closure and reviewed 21 weapons-related websites.
The centre’s work also contributed to 66 arrests or cautions and three convictions linked to grey-market sales, with further cases awaiting trial. Of the 94 charges, four related to grey-market sales and 90 to weapons importation.
Two operations, Obex 1 and Obex 2, accounted for much of the activity. In the first, the centre identified a European retailer selling both legal and prohibited knives to UK customers. The retailer agreed to stop selling to the UK after being contacted by the centre. Investigators then analysed sales data and developed intelligence on more than 300 purchasers, some suspected of reselling weapons through social media and other peer-to-peer networks.
The second operation targeted the importation of dangerous and prohibited weapons. Border Force intercepted dozens of shipments destined for England and Wales, while intelligence-sharing identified almost 50 previous customers across 20 police force areas. Subsequent police enforcement led to further seizures, including 150 weapons found in two consignments already delivered to an address in Greater Manchester.
The centre also identified 18 young people of concern, sharing information with relevant forces for enforcement and safeguarding purposes.
Commander Stephen Clayman, head of the centre, said national intelligence and coordination were helping prevent duplication and allowing local forces to concentrate on targeted enforcement, prevention and safeguarding.
He said new legislation introducing mandatory bulk-sales notifications and voluntary referrals of suspicious sales would give police further opportunities to identify concerning purchasing patterns before weapons entered criminal markets.
The NPCC said the centre would continue to develop intelligence-led approaches with police forces, Border Force, retailers and technology companies to disrupt the online sale and importation of dangerous weapons.