Dorset Police warn young people of the dangers of carrying knives
The force is taking part in a week of action to tackle knife crime
Dorset Police is once again taking part in a national campaign, raising awareness around knife carrying and knife crime, including enhanced enforcement, engagement and education.
The campaign, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), will run until Sunday 19 May.
A key focus of the week will be to raise awareness around the consequences and dangers of carrying a knife. Some people think they will be safer if they carry a knife, when actually they may be putting themselves in more danger and may even end up being injured by their own knife.
During the week, various education activities will be taking place to raise awareness around knife crime and knife carrying, including the use of knife arches in schools, colleges and public spaces.
Test purchases of knives will be taking place with local retailers. The Force will be engaging with retailers, ensuring they are aware of who they are selling knives to and confirm they are following the appropriate safety guidelines for legal selling and distribution.
Knife surrender bins will also be provided at Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth Police Stations during the week of activity. Those who carry knives are encouraged to surrender them without question or repercussions from police, to help keep themselves and others safe.
This national campaign also falls within the Safer BCP eight weeks of action against knife crime campaign, taking place in memory of Cameron Hamilton and Tom Roberts who were both victims of knife crime and tragically lost their lives in Bournemouth. Various activities are taking place across the county until 15 June 2024 which are being supported by Dorset Police.
Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey, Local Policing Commander for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, said: “Dorset remains one of the safest places in the country to live, however tackling knife crime is a key priority for us.
“Education opportunities in local schools, using the knife arch as an engagement tool, test purchases with retailers and the provision of knife surrender bins are just some of the ways we are building awareness among our communities to prevent and reduce knife crime.
“Although there are weeks of action like this one, I want to reassure the public that we remain active throughout the year in preventing knife crime and remaining vigilant around knife carrying. We encourage anyone carrying a knife to surrender it to their local police station to help us keep our communities safe.
“Dorset Police will do all we can to remove knives from our streets and pursue those who chose to carry them and commit offences.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick added, “Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “It is the responsibility of all of us to help tackle knife crime. That could mean making a different choice and not carrying a knife, talking to children and young people about the dangers of knives, reporting concerns to the police or the relevant authority, or simply seeking informed advice; it is only by working together can we tackle this devastating offence.
“Dorset has one of the lowest rates of knife crime, but while young people continue to pick up a knife for any reason, we all still have work to do. There is no room for complacency, and I want to assure you, the ongoing efforts to stop another family suffering a tragic loss are relentless.
“Tackling knife crime is a priority but cannot be solved through policing alone. Through robust collaboration, a multi-agency approach, and the help of the public, we can all ensure Dorset is the safest place. We need to help our young people to understand that carrying a knife puts you at more risk. Tragedy can happen in a heartbeat and that’s why I am supporting Sceptre.”