Operation Sceptre aims to reduce knife-related violence through targeted policing and community collaboration.

The father of a young man fatally stabbed during a failed mugging has shared his ongoing grief, describing the loss of his son as “never ending,” as police in England and Wales launch a major crackdown on knife crime.

Cliff Marcus, whose 22-year-old son Leo was killed in 2019, reflected on the impact of the tragedy on his family. “You spend 22 years raising someone, and then they’re suddenly gone. It leaves a void that can’t be filled,” said Marcus, 57, from Woolwich, south-east London. “When I heard Leo had died, my heart broke. I often speak to his picture on my fireplace.”

Leo’s death continues to ripple through the family. “This one act has affected 80 to 90 people in my family alone,” Marcus said. “The pain never ends.”

His remarks coincide with Operation Sceptre, an annual police initiative targeting knife crime through increased patrols, stop-and-search operations, and weapon sweeps. On Thursday, Marcus accompanied officers in Croydon, an area long plagued by knife-related violence.

Neighbourhood policing superintendent Mitch Carr emphasised the significance of the campaign. “Croydon has faced gang-related issues for years. While there hasn’t been a knife-related murder here in over a year, public concern remains high,” Carr said.

Once labelled London’s knife crime capital, Croydon recorded five teenage murders in 2021, contributing to a citywide total of 30. Between 2019 and 2021, the borough experienced 141 incidents of teenage violence, the highest in London.

However, police data shows progress. Knife crime offences in Croydon dropped by 22%, from 11,969 incidents in 2021 to 6,843 in the year ending November 2022. Despite these gains, acting sergeant Jack Fordham highlighted ongoing challenges. “West Croydon remains a hotspot for robberies and knife crime. This operation is about showing the community we’re here and taking action.”

Anthony King, a youth worker and chair of the My Ends project, also joined the operation. The initiative connects young people, local police, and schools to tackle violence collaboratively.

“We’re working closely with the police to rebuild trust and reduce fear among young people,” King said. “Partnerships like these are helping to restore confidence and curb serious violent crime.”