Knife crime down in Essex, says Police Chief Constable
It comes as 'The Knife Angel'- a sculpture made entirely out of knives- has been in Harlow this month
The Chief Constable of Essex Police is telling us that knife crime is down in the county, over the last year.
It comes as 'The Knife Angel'- a sculpture made entirely out of knives- has been in Harlow this month- to remind people about the consequences of this crime.
"Point out to them that they are putting their own life at risk"
Ben-Julian Harrington says they're working to keep the figures low:
"Whether it's the overt operations we do in the community- the Opengate and the knife-arches. We also do work with security in bars and the night-time economy, to make sure they have a good search regimes.
"Further to this we also do proactive patrols and go into schools to make sure that people recognise the dangers.
"Is it too late, when we are taking a knife out of somebody's pocket, in a stop and search? Actually, if we can get to a place where people aren't taking knives out- because they know it's to their cost- that's better. It helps to raise the issue about how we keep our people safe.
"If you know a friend or a relative who goes out carrying any sort of blade, point out to them that they are putting their own life at risk, as well as the lives of other around the county".