A TEENAGER has been arrested at a property in Long Ashton on suspicion of burglary.

Following on from the incident, which took place in August 2023, police have arrested a 15-year-old male.

Officers also located and seized a "number" of knives at the property.

This week, police are taking part in a national operation to tackle knife crime, and are running activities to educate locals and increase awareness on the dangers of carrying around blades.

Police are also carrying out patrols of areas they believe knives and weapons are stored or hidden. This may include parks.

North Somerset residents are encouraged to surrender any such weapons at surrender bins, which are based in local police stations and in various locations across the region. 

A spokesperson from the North Somerset Neighbourhood Policing team said: "Today we arrested a 15-year-old male at a property in Long Ashton on suspicion of burglary. This relates to an incident reported to us in August 2023.

"Whilst searching the property, officers based at Nailsea Neighbourhood Police Station also seized a number of knives.

"This week we’re taking part in a national operation to tackle knife crime. Operation Sceptre, which is a twice-yearly operation, led and co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) is an opportunity to highlight the work that goes on throughout the year to reduce the number of knives on the streets and help keep communities safer.

"Throughout the week, officers will be carrying out a range of activities including:

"Delivering talks to young people in schools, youth clubs and groups to explain the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife;

"Carrying out targeted searches of open areas, such as parks, where intelligence suggests weapons may be stored or hidden;

"Hosting pop-up information stands to increase awareness and understanding in communities;

"Carrying out hi-visibility patrols in areas of high demand, deterring those intent on crime or violence;

"We’re also calling for people to surrender any weapons through one of our weapon surrender bins, which are attached to police stations, and in communities.

"Since 2016, there have been over 4,000 knives and weapons surrendered through the existing bins."