EXCLUSIVE: A look at life inside a West Country knife crime hotspot
We speak to residents as the latest figures show fatalities are up 160 per cent
Last updated 5th Mar 2024
We're exploring what it's like to live in a West Country knife crime hotspot, as the latest figures show deaths are up by 160 per cent, across Avon and Somerset.
Yesterday (4 February) we revealed there were 13 fatal stabbings across the force area in 2023, up from five the year before.
The figures, which we obtained from Avon and Somerset (AS) Police via a Freedom of Information request, also show officers used their Stop and Search powers less than in 2019.
That means the police were searching people on the streets for weapons less often than they were pre-Covid, despite many more deaths and 736 more incidents.
"It could be me on the newspaper..."
Whilst covering one of the West Country's latest fatalities, I got talking to Ben (not his real name) who lives nearby.
It quickly became clear that for him, such a tragedy on his doorstep is not uncommon.
"Round here, a lot of people carry these days a weapon on them," he said.
"It's really alarming, especially for the young generation coming up because when they leave the house and go and play in the park, all they'll find is drugs or a drug dealer down there."
Ben has asked that we conceal his identity as he fears for his safety.
He told us he has witnessed stabbings before.
"One day I'm walking past the pharmacy and I'm coming to the kebab shop (and) there's a man like this," he said.
"Just before the chemist I see he came out from a side road running and there's two men, boys or men, running after him.
"They got him just after the kebab shop...
"I carried on, I reached the lights and when I reached the lights I heard shouting and people getting together...
"I realised that when they ran after him, they stabbed him..."
Thankfully in that instance Ben says the person survived, but in the two months since the start of 2024 six people have already been killed in incidents involving knives across Avon and Somerset.
Ben has young children and says to ensure they are safe, he no longer sleeps at night.
"I've done it (not slept), for maybe, every night for maybe three to four months," he said.
"Every night, I still don't go (to) sleep (at) night time.
"I sleep in the morning, I take the kids to school (and) I come back (and) sleep."
What is being done?
Ben's story is just a snapshot of a much wider issue.
In 2023 AS Police recorded 3,862 incidents involving knives or "bladed articles".
That compares to 3,308 in 2022 and 3,126 in 2019.
Meanwhile as already mentioned, the latest statistics show officers used their Stop and Search powers less in 2023 than many previous years.
However, the force recently began a new operation targeting serious youth violence and Chief Inspector Mike Vass, their knife crime lead, says they are doing what they can.
He said: "Whilst we are doing everything we can to tackle and disrupt those carrying knives within our communities, we know that policing alone will not solve this.
"So, we call on our communities and partners to please reach out and talk to the children and young people in your lives, and to report or talk to someone if you’re worried that they may be at risk of, or involved in, knife crime or serious violence."
Mark Shelford, Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner, who is elected to hold the police to account on behalf of the public, recently reiterated Chief Inspector Vass' views, saying he wants to "start a conversation" around knife crime.
Responding to the figures we have obtained he said: "It is imperative that we all work to prevent these horrendous crimes.
"Good work is happening; for example, Bleed Kits have been installed by NHS South West and HeartSafe across our region, with 200 expected to be in place by April 2024."
During a recent visit to the West Country we also asked the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to give his view.
He said: "First thing to say is overall, crime and violent crime is down.
"Of course there is more to do.
"First and foremost is putting more police officers on the street, so 20,000 across the country...so that will help.
"Then you need to give the police officers the powers they need and that's why we've been keen to champion Stop and Search.
"Every time you hear about a young person in particular who's life has been taken through knife crime it's a tragedy.
"We need to do absolutely everything we can to make sure our streets are safe."
Meanwhile Ben, lives in a state of constant fear.
He and his family are desperate to move, but do not currently have the means.
"Any time it could be, I'll be on the newspaper," he said.
"I'm not, like I said I'm not being happy about it, I'm not being too scared or (saying it) just to make a point.
"That's how I feel.
"The boy was in the paper, it could be anytime, it could be me on the paper."