The MPS has launched the next phase of Operation Blunt in a bid to tackle the carrying of knives in the Capital.

As part of Operation Blunt, Met officers, including Safer Neighbourhood Teams , from all 32 boroughs are employing a number of measures as part of a long-term strategy to combat knife crime. This includes the use of search arches and hand-held detectors at transport hubs and licensed premises across the capital.

High-visibility patrols are operating in knife hotspots, and -*test*-('") purchases are to be carried out with the assistance of trading standards. Police will also deploy automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

During the three-weeks of sustained activity, which began on Monday 23 October and includes school half-term, police are operating search arches across London.

Today officers are working with colleagues from British Transport Police at various locations including Clapham Junction, one of the busiest railway stations in the country. We know that those who carry knives use transport links to move around London. The operation at Clapham is one of a variety of tactics being deployed across the capital and is being rolled out to other stations and locations so as to prevent people travelling with offensive weapons.

Superintendent Chris McDonald, operational lead for Blunt, said:

"It is a sad fact that many young people continue to carry knives either as a fashion accessory or because they feel that it will offer them protection. However, the stark reality is that every week teenagers become victims of knife crime. The national amnesty is over, people have had a chance to dispose of their knives. If anyone is caught carrying a knife by police, we will arrest them and put them before the courts."

Operation Blunt was launched in November 2004 across 12 London boroughs, and is the Met's approach to tackling knife crime. We have seen a reduction in the number of knife-enabled offences in these areas following a range of initiatives, including educational programmes, knife surrenders and a positive charge strategy.

As a result of this success, Operation Blunt was rolled out across all 32 boroughs in December 2005. This was the first time that every London borough had simultaneously targeted knife crime.

During the national knife amnesty last June, the MPS retrieved approximately 8,000 knives. The amnesty was supported by:

· Approximately 100 search arch operations;
· A total of 62 automatic number plate recognition system checkpoint operations;
· Numerous hi-visibility patrols in every ward;
· Hundreds of -*test*-('")-purchase operations;
· A total of 1,397 lessons to schools, colleges and youth clubs.

The MPS is continuing to liaise with schools to provide an education package to young people, part of which include the Met's "It's not a game" marketing campaign.