diff --git a/main/management/commands/clear_cache.py b/main/management/commands/clear_cache.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a0416308b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/main/management/commands/clear_cache.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+"""Command to clear the cache"""
+
+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
+
+from main.utils import clear_search_cache
+
+
+class Command(BaseCommand):
+    """Command to clear the cache"""
+
+    help = "Command to clear the cache"
+
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):  # noqa: ARG002
+        cache_items = clear_search_cache()
+        self.stdout.write(f"cleared {cache_items} items from cache")
diff --git a/main/utils.py b/main/utils.py
index d227c63f93..7c68eae647 100644
--- a/main/utils.py
+++ b/main/utils.py
@@ -357,8 +357,10 @@ def clean_data(data: str) -> str:
 
 def clear_search_cache():
     cache = caches["redis"]
+    cleared = 0
     if hasattr(cache, "keys"):
         search_keys = cache.keys("views.decorators.cache.cache_page.search.*")
-        cache.delete_many(search_keys)
+        cleared += cache.delete_many(search_keys) or 0
         search_keys = cache.keys("views.decorators.cache.cache_header.search.*")
-        cache.delete_many(search_keys)
+        cleared += cache.delete_many(search_keys) or 0
+    return cleared
diff --git a/scripts/heroku-release-phase.sh b/scripts/heroku-release-phase.sh
index 28e02c1caa..ba07b4711a 100755
--- a/scripts/heroku-release-phase.sh
+++ b/scripts/heroku-release-phase.sh
@@ -22,3 +22,6 @@ python $MANAGE_FILE prune_subscription_queries 2>&1 | indent
 
 echo "-----> Generating cache tables"
 python $MANAGE_FILE createcachetable 2>&1 | indent
+
+# clear cache entries
+python $MANAGE_FILE clear_cache --noinput 2>&1 | indent