The Metropolitan Police will focus on schools in their latest effort to crackdown on knife crime across the capital under Operation Sceptre. 

Although this work goes on all year round, Operation Sceptre gives complete focus to knife crime, especially as this type of crime is expected to see a seasonal rise in the summer months.

In the last 12 months, officers have spoken to more than 14,000 young people across London about the dangers of knifecrime and joining gangs. 

During previous weeks more than 1,435 weapons have been recovered and removed from the streets of London, hundreds of shops have been visited with Trading Standards to test whether knives are being sold to those under 18, and over 2,294 people have been arrested - including 473 for possessing a knife or offensive weapon.

Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gallagher, the Met's 'Silver lead' for knife crime, said: "This operation carries a positive and powerful message: this is about all of us addressing a problem that often has tragic consequences.

"This behaviour is damaging our communities; there is no excuse, people are better than this and our communities are better than this."

"Across London there are number of excellent diversionary programmes that are bespoke to the needs of Londoners. This is clearly a safeguarding issue for the people who do, and would, carry knives and victims of knife crime. A collaborative and cohesive approach between statutory agencies, non-governmental organisations and communities is the only solution to achieving a long term reduction in this type of offence, underpinned by a strong academic evidence base and effective police enforcement."

Knife bins can also be found throughout London as part of the Met's effort to take knives off the streets.

The Met has recently been at the forefront of influencing changes in legislation, with the amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 banning the sale, manufacture, rental or importation of "zombie knives."

A map showing the location of knife bins across London is available on our website at:www.met.police.uk/StopKnifeCrime

If you have information about anyone carrying or using knives contact your local police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.