Hertfordshire Police have hailed the county's strong response after hundreds of knives were handed in during the latest wave of anti-knife crime operations – including the national Sceptre week of action, which ended on Sunday 23 November.

Nearly 500 knives were surrendered during a countywide amnesty in October, timed to coincide with the visit of the Knife Angel sculpture to Hertfordshire. The awareness-raising installation, made from 100,000 seized blades, drew thousands of visitors and encouraged residents to hand in unwanted or illegal knives.

A further 41 knives were surrendered during Sceptre week, which ran from Monday 17 November as part of the national campaign to reduce knife crime and illegal weapon possession.

Alongside the amnesty, Hertfordshire officers carried out a series of activities across the county, including:

• Engagement sessions with young people in schools and public spaces
• Visits to retailers to ensure compliance with laws on under-18 knife sales
• Covert and high-visibility patrols
• Knife detection operations and searches in key public areas

Chief Inspector Pete Frost, who led the campaign, praised the community's support: "There is always a great response from local residents during our weeks of action and we always get lots of positive feedback from the young people we speak to.

"We had activities going on throughout the week, visiting schools and talking to young people as well as conducting knife detection operations and test purchasing at knife retailers. We continue to uphold the Knife Angel's anti-violence legacy, following its visit last month, and regular amnesties are a good way to ensure knives are taken out of circulation."

Residents concerned about knife crime can find support through Fearless.org.

Information can also be reported to police online at herts.police.uk/report, via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or their online form.