JUSTICE CAME swiftly earlier this month when a 15 year old teen was found carrying a knife near Hackney Central Railway station. The teen was spotted by officers carrying out an Operation Sceptre patrol.
The story began on 10th November, when the officers noticed that the teen was trying to get out of the area while avoiding uniformed police officers. They stopped him and found a lock knife in his pocket. The teen was taken to a local police station – and on the journey he kicked one of the police officers.
The teenager was later charged with possession of an offensive weapon and assaulting an emergency worker. He appeared at Stratford Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he pleaded guilty to the charges and was released on conditional bail. He was to return to the Court for sentencing.
Detective Inspector Angie Baker of the Violence Suppression Unit said, “We are always prioritising our work to bear down on violence and this week we are focussing on knife crime nationally as part of Operation Sceptre. By removing this knife we have potentially prevented an act of violence and even a loss of life. We are also working hard with our partners to engage with the teenager and help divert him down a different path.
“If you have concerns about someone carrying a knife or weapon, we need to know about it. If you have any information, please contact police or Crimestoppers – your anonymity is guaranteed. It can feel like a hard call, but it could save the life of someone’s son or daughter.”
•For advice on support on issues relating to knife crime, go to: Knife Free Fearless
•Read more about it: Teen charged after Barking stabbing Gift wrapped gun sees Bethnal Green man jailed