MORE than 160 knives were seized and dozens of arrests made during a police crackdown.

Final figures have been released for a week of action staged by West Yorkshire Police, in conjunction with Operation Jemlock's dedicated knife and violent crime reduction unit.

Fifty-six 'weapons sweeps' were carried out across the force area, including the Bradford district.

In total, officers seized 163 knives and made 60 arrests in relation to various offences, including knife possession.

Notable seizures made during the week included the recovery of machetes, plus hammers, from a vehicle. Enquiries around that discovery are ongoing.

Also, special knife arches were deployed at bus stations during busy times to provide reassurance to passengers and deter anyone from attempting to carry weapons onto public transport.

And the venture – which was in support of national campaign Operation Spectre – included educational work, with over 50 schools being visited to raise awareness amongst young people of the potentially tragic consequences of becoming involved in knife crime.

Backing is being provided by organisations including the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership to tackle offending.

Chief Inspector James Kitchen, head of Operation Jemlock, says: "Work to combat knife crime continues 365 days of the year in West Yorkshire, but Operation Spectre remains a key week for police forces to raise awareness of the dreadful consequences of carrying bladed weapons.

"This year's activity saw us recover 163 bladed weapons and make 60 arrests, but of equal if not greater importance has been the large number of knife crime inputs in schools.

"Reaching young people and attempting to change the culture of carrying knives is the only long-term solution for us to break the cycle of knife violence.

"Action from parents, friends, communities and partners at all levels continues to be absolutely vital if we are to succeed at driving home one key message – namely that if you carry a knife, you are likely to become a victim of one.

"If you know someone who carries a knife, speak with them, speak to others and report it. If you are a friend, it might just save their life or that of another."

Det Chief Supt Lee Berry, director of West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, says: "One more knife off the streets is potentially another life saved, and whilst this latest activity offers a window into our proactive partnership efforts, the work continues day in, day out."