Police destroyed a knife found by a member of the public as they look to crack down on knife crime in Shepton Mallet.

The neighbourhood team have been tackling knife crime as part of Operation Sceptre, a national police campaign intensifying efforts to tackle knife crime.

The initiative focuses on raising awareness of knife crime and how the police will look to reduce knife crime in the area.

It is part of the ongoing work of officers and staff with the two local authorities, public health, youth workers and charities, to come together to help prevent knife crime and protect young people from becoming caught up in violence and criminal gangs.

Police also continued their ongoing work with partners to recognise the vulnerability of many people caught up in carrying knives and help them to access support.

The knife, which was found by a member of the public, was collected by PCSO Rich Riley, who has been patrolling the town with his colleagues, looking for places where knives may have been concealed or discarded.

Knife crime surrender bins are located across Avon and Somerset, including new installations outside of Bath and Wellington police stations, enabling the anonymous disposal of weapons at any time. Since 2016 just under 4,000 weapons have been surrendered to police in this way. A list of locations and more information about knife crime can be found online at: Protect yourself and others from knife crime | Avon and Somerset Police

Reports and information can be submitted by calling police on 101 (always 999 in an emergency). It can also be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or visiting the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org where there may be a reward if the information given leads to a positive result. Non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality and a safe place to anonymously report is also available from Fearless, www.fearless.org, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Knife crime includes any crimes that involve the use of a sharpened weapon or blade. It is illegal to sell a knife to or buy a knife from anyone who is under 18 years old. Self-protection is not a reasonable excuse for carrying a weapon and possession of a knife carries a prison sentence of up to 4 years (5 years in Scotland) even if it's not used.