Suffolk Police begin week-of-action to reduce knife crime offences
It forms part of a national response to deal with the issue
Suffolk Police have launched a week-of-action to raise awareness about the dangers of carrying knives and reduce the rates of knife crime in the county.
Among activities planned are targeted deployments in hotspot areas, working with schools, colleges and wider society to deliver information on knife crime and a county-wide amnesty for people surrendering their knives.
Tim Passmore is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk. He explains the primary aim of the campaign:
" We are really highlighting here that carrying a knife doesn't make you safer. In many cases, it only aggravates the situation and leads to many traumatic injuries, stabbings and even fatalities".
He says that although knife crime numbers in Suffolk are lower than numbers in neighbouring counties, work must be done to keep it that way: "The problem is not enormous but it is important to ensure that it stays like that."
Officers will also engage in intensive police action which will involve the use of intelligence led deployments, weapons sweeps and high-visibility patrols to target and disrupt offenders who carry and use knives. But Commissioner Passmore adds that they won't just "be policing our way out of it".
"Pointing out frankly, the horrors that knife crimes bring is very important. That's why there's a big engagement program, we're talking to schools, youth groups, parents and even businesses".
They are hoping that these measures can convince people who carry knives to turn them in and reduce the number of offences.
A county-wide amnesty is also in place for those who surrender their weapons to special bins in towns across Suffolk. Knives can be deposited through this scheme in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Mildenhall, Sudbury and Haverhill without fear of prosecution.
As part of the week of action, they are also encouraging those who have information about people who carry knives or about violent offenders, to come forward and share it with the police. "We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe", he says before adding, " If you've got any suspicions or information please report it to us. If its an emergency then please call 999."
"For people who are worried about intimidation or retribution, you can call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Its an anonymous helpline that's free of charge. They will pass on the information to the police and its untraceable.", he explains.