Scores of weapons - including knives, a knuckle duster and a hammer - have been taken off the streets during a police campaign against knife crime.

Operation Sceptre, a week-long national clampdown on knife violence, was supported by police across Kent saw 54 people arrested in connection with possible knife offences and 351 stop-and-searches carried out.

British Transport Police also carried out checks at railway stations, using knife arches and sniffer dogs to target people carrying weapons and drugs.

At Canterbury East train station a man found in possession of a lock knife was arrested as a result of the operation against blades.

Officers also carried out weapon sweeps in public places, including Temple Hill in Dartford, at a car park in Maidstone and within parks and open spaces in Folkestone.

A total of 72 knives were seized, including 20 which were handed into the police.

Det Supt Shaun White said: "Tackling knife crime remains a force priority and campaigns such as Operation Sceptre allow us to work even closer with our partners to remove knives and weapons from our streets.

"Our officers already work relentlessly to keep our communities safe and with the help of dedicated units such as our proactive county line and gang teams, we remain committed to targeting criminals who think nothing of bringing fear and violence to parts of Kent."

Throughout the week almost 50 retailers were visited across the county and reminded of legislation and guidance around the selling of knives.

In Maidstone, test purchases were carried out at four shops by officers in plain clothes. All conformed to legislation and challenged the officer on the purpose of the knife and their age.

The week of action included ongoing work to tackle and dismantle county lines drug supply networks, which often involve gang members travelling from London and into Kent.

On April 27, officers executed a search warrant in an address in Melville Court, Chatham. They seized a large machete and another knife, as well as large quantities of crack cocaine and heroin.

"Knife crime can have a devastating impact on communities across the country..."

Jacob Laws, 18, of Melville Court, and Leonard Warner, 19, of Lincoln Crescent in Enfield, were arrested and charged with drugs supply offences.

Both men are currently remanded in custody, pending a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on May 27.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, Dep Asst Com Graham McNulty, said: "Knife crime can have a devastating impact on communities across the country and we are doing all we can to remove weapons from our streets, target those carrying knives and prevent young people being drawn into violence.

"Enforcement is a crucial part of what we do but understanding the root causes and bringing in others outside of policing to help people is extremely important.

"We can’t tackle this alone. Police forces come up with ways to target knife crime during this week of action on top of work they do all year round. Families are affected by knife crime every single day and we want our communities to feel safe and prevent these incidents from happening in the first place."

If you have concerns about someone you know who may be carrying a knife, or is involved in knife crime, call Kent Police on 101

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