Seven people who attempted to import illegal bladed weapons purchased online and seized by UK Border Force have been visited by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) as part of Operation Sceptre, a national crackdown on knife crime.

Officers visited the homes of the intended recipients in South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Plymouth, Torquay and Salisbury. Among items ordered were flick knives, a belt buckle knife, a curved sword and a karambit.

Detective Inspector Lucy Edgeworth of SWROCU said: “Our visits showed that the offensive weapons were bought by people unaware of the legislation around the purchase and import of such items. We were able to inform them of the law and warn them of the vulnerable position they might put themselves in should they fall into the wrong hands.”

They were all issued with Cease and Desist letters meaning if they attempt to import prohibited weapons again they could face prosecution.