Police and Crime Commissioner wants to 'start a conversation' over knife crime
PCC Mark Shelford has written an article to address his concerns following recent tragic events around Bristol and Bath
Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner says he wants to 'start a conversation' over knife crime - after recent fatal incidents involving blades in and around Bristol.
Mark Shelford says he's committed to initiatives, like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which 'generates a sense of accomplishment' with young people.
He's calling for youth services to be a part of the National Curriculum, and urging locals to write to the PCC and local MPs to make their voices heard.
In an article, PCC Shelford said: "In the few years I have been the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, I have had the heart breaking duty of responding to several fatal stabbings. It is indeed a heart breaking duty. The three fatal stabbings in Bristol recently have moved me to speak.
"To think about these children with their whole lives ahead of them, who have had their lives taken, the loss to their families, and also the loss to the families of those who commit these crimes—it makes the heart ache. And things don’t need to be like this.
"Unfortunately, this is not isolated to one month, one area, or one gang. According to the Home Office, there were nearly 49,000 crimes in England and Wales involving knives or sharp objects during the year ending September 2023, and data from NHS Digital shows there were 3,775 “hospital episodes” recorded in English hospitals in 2022/23 that were due to assault by sharp objects.
"This cannot go on."
He adds, despite the Home Office, councils and charities 'working hard to fix the problem', answers are needed as to why interventions haven't worked, and aren't reaching those who need them the most.
PCC Shelford added: "We have the tools, the know-how, the capability, and the money; what we need is to collectively demonstrate that we also have the gumption—that magic fusion of competence, confidence, resilience, and enthusiasm. The money really is already there; we simply need to reapportion it.
"What am I talking about? I am talking about making youth service a compulsory part of the curriculum. I don’t mean the reintroduction of National Service, but I am talking about the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the Cadets, and the Scouting and Guiding movement. All of these organisations lead to positive outcomes for our young people through their focus on physical activity, skill acquisition, and community service. These elements generate a sense of accomplishment and self-worth which in turn contribute to improved physical and emotional well-being, resilience, and a sense of belonging within society."
You can read more about Mark Shelford's call here: An article by Mark Shelford, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner
A Government spokesperson said: “To tackle the root causes of violence, our Violence Reduction Units are bringing together local partners in the areas where they work to deliver early intervention and prevention programmes to drive young people away from crime. The units have reached over 270,000 vulnerable young people in their fourth year of funding alone.
“Schools can tailor their teaching to suit the issues that their pupils face, including focusing on knife crime as part of the ‘criminal exploitation’ parts of the relationships, sex and health curriculum. We are also investing over £50 million to fund specialist support in both mainstream schools and alternative provision in the areas where serious violence most impacts children.”