Police swamped our streets as part of Operation Blade on Saturday night, and we fully support any campaign that will rid our communities of knife crime and the devastation it causes.

The crackdown yielded no knives, but officers say they have sent out a clear message about their commitment to combating blades.

We need ruthlessness in hunting down those who carry them.

Thursday’s Oxford Mail was a heartbreaking reminder of why Operation Blade must succeed.

Three-year-old Reko, who appeared on our front page, will grow up without his father Blayne Ridgeway who was murdered a year ago.

His death, and the impact on his partner Chrissie and little Reko, shows the damage knife crime inflicts.

And families have to live with it forever.

Combating knife crime has been a priority in this country for too long and too many crackdowns have failed to grasp the nettle.

It is time it is tackled head on and rooted out of every school, street and community for good.

We hope Operation Blade will succeed in doing that, but only time – and concrete results – will tell.