Wiltshire Police have stepped up patrols following a spate of knife crime in Swindon.

During the early hours of Wednesday morning, armed police were deployed to North Swindon as they looked to take knives off the street.

They worked alongside Swindon's local neighbourhood policing team to reassure the community after several knife-related incidents in recent days, and pledged: "Anybody found in possession of a weapon will be dealt with robustly."

The operation came after a member of the public discovered a knife at the Grange Community Centre in Stratton.

Searches took place in the area using metal detectors, but no other bladed objects were found.

The weapon was recovered and destroyed by the police.

On Sunday, three teenagers were stabbed during an incident in Swindon's town centre.

Officers were called to the scene at Alfred Street, Swindon shortly after 2pm after reports that a disorder had taken place between Manchester Road and Alfred Street.

A man was arrested on suspicion of GBH following the incident.

It also comes during Operation Sceptre, a nationwide initiative that focuses on raising awareness of knife crime and how the police will look to reduce it in the area.

Superintendent Phil Staynings said: “Our officers and staff use every tactic available to reduce the number of knife incidents, but we can't do this alone.

"By working together with our partners and supporting communities we know that we can be more effective, responsive and take steps to prevent people, usually young people, carrying and using knives.”