#Sceptre - Operation Sceptre May 2026

#Sceptre - Operation Sceptre May 2026

Good Evening Stockport Residents,

I am writing to share the results of last weeks operation Sceptre that took place in Stockport.

Stockport Operation Sceptre – Operational Report Week 18th – 24th May 2026

Overview

Operation Sceptre is a national policing initiative in the UK focused on tackling knife crime and serious violence. This years coordinated effort has focussed on multiagency work seeing the deployment of the knife arch to stockport interchange working with the TESOs, warrants, weapon sweeps, a number of school delivery sessions, test purchasing and proactive deployments.

Activities and Outcomes

1. Vehicle Stop Site – Operation Considerate

A proactive vehicle check site at Go outdoors, Edgeley Stockport was established with the following outcomes:

Vehicles stopped: 56

Traffic Offence Reports (TORS) issued:

5 × Mobile phone offences

2 × Seatbelt offences

3 × No insurance

1 × Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (tyre depth)

1 × No MOT

1 × Local authority offence (asbestos / no waste licence)

2. Weapons Recovery and Searches

St Petersgate, Stockport:

1 sword recovered from hedges.

POLSA-led Searches:

Conducted at Reddish North Train Station, Leicester Street, and Reddish Park.
Activity recorded and shared on BiTL.

3. Stop, Pursuit, Drugs and Weapons Seizure

Response officers conducted a routine vehicle stop where:

The driver exited and made off on foot.

Following a foot pursuit, the male was detained.

The suspect was found in possession of:

Multiple snap bags of white powder (believed to be cocaine).

A subsequent house search resulted in the recovery of:

Ecstasy and cannabis

£2,000 in cash

Weapons, including:

Extendable baton
Spear

4. Operation Concept Warrant Execution

Officers from the Central Neighbourhood Team executed a warrant.

This was part of Operation Concept, a joint initiative between Greater Manchester Police and UK Border Force targeting the importation of illegal goods.

Results:

Recovery of:

Stun/taser-type weapon
Two coshes

Arrest of a male at the scene

Charges:

Possession of a Section 5 firearm

Possession of offensive weapons

Importation of illegal weapons

The offender has been bailed to appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.

5. Armed Youth Incident – St Thomas’ Park

Reports received of youths on a motorbike wearing balaclavas.

One individual reported to be in possession of a zombie-style knife.

Group made off prior to police arrival.

Outcome:

Youth detained nearby after being observed discarding an item into bushes.

A large knife was recovered.

charged and remanded for possession of an offensive weapon.

6. Test Purchasing Operation

Conducted by:

PC Ellison

PCSO Radhesh

Stockport Police Cadets

Activity:

12 stores visited across Stockport.

Cadets attempted to purchase knives.

Results:

10 stores compliant

2 stores failed (sold knives to underage individuals)

Action:

Follow-up enforcement and training to be conducted with non-compliant stores

Observation:

Items sold included large steak knives and butcher’s knives, which present a significant risk if misused.

Summary

The coordinated efforts during Operation Sceptre and associated activity have delivered:

Strong partnership engagement

Proactive enforcement action

Significant seizures of weapons and drugs

Positive outcomes through targeted warrants and stop/search activity

Continued safeguarding through retail compliance checks

These actions collectively contribute to reducing violence, disrupting criminality, and improving public safety across Stockport.

I hope this reassures you of the proactive work that is taking place as part of ongoing action here in Stockport.

Kind Regards,

Insp 19966 Jason Holmwood

Stockport Central Neighbourhood Insp

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Jason Holmwood
(Police, Insp, Central Stockport Neighbourhood Police Team)