A Federation member who helped initiate a partnership between Derby County Football Club and the Force has told how effective backing from such an influential organisation can be.

Temporary Inspector Ben Frearson’s comments come after the Rams threw their support behind Operation Sceptre, an anti-knife crime initiative that was founded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which aims to remove knives from local communities.

Via the club’s charitable arm, the Derby County Community Trust, graphics highlighting the campaign were displayed on digital billboards at the Pride Park Stadium.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with Derby County and their Community Trust because it means our mission can be taken further. It means that many members of the public, particularly young people, will be listening to what we have to say, such is the Club’s standing within Derbyshire,” said Ben, who was responsible for striking up the collaboration.

“To know that so many people will have seen our logo and our key messages just by passing the billboards is very pleasing.”

As part of an ongoing relationship with the Force, the Community Trust will continue to hold engagement sessions, which will address key themes such as knife crime and reiterate Operation Sceptre’s advice all year round.

And last November, t-shirts displaying the tagline, ‘Knives Shatter Lives’ were worn by Derby County players in the warm-up to a home match. At the same time, videos produced by the Club’s in-house media channel, RamsTV, and featuring player interviews surrounding knife crime were broadcast to supporters at Pride Park.

Ben added: “The partnership has been established for a few years now, and it is a very equal one where the Club are more than happy to take the initiative to help us in whatever way they can. Everyone connected to Operation Sceptre at Derbyshire Constabulary appreciates their brilliant support.”

Ben became involved with the campaign after he began as a safer neighbourhood sergeant in 2019. Upon starting the role, he determined engagement work needed to be done to address the increasing number of knife incidents in Derbyshire and identified Derby County as the ‘perfect route to explore’ in the pursuit of reaching audiences.

Summarising the key messages of Operation Sceptre, he continued: “We want to educate the public on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife. Through our emphasis on prevention, we aim to stop people from making the kinds of decisions that can eventually lead to knife crime.

“We also tackle misconceptions of knives. For example, we want to make it clear that if you carry a knife, you are more likely to be harmed with it yourself than harm someone else.”

More information can be found on Operation Sceptre on the National Police Chiefs’ Council website.