Police tackle knife crime and put young people in the spotlight

Staffordshire Police’s ongoing Ditch the Blade campaign is to focus on the impact knife crime has on parents and families next week.

Between 15 – 21 November, supporting Operation Sceptre, police and partners will highlight the impact of knife crime through engagement and advice, while operationally using intelligence-led deployments, weapons sweeps and high-visibility patrols to target and disrupt offenders who carry and use knives. They will also be visiting retailers in order to remind staff of their responsibilities when knives are purchased.

Knife amnesty bins will be available for the safe disposal of knives in Burton, Cannock and Longton Police Stations.

Officers and police community support officers will be reaching out to the public, including young people and parents. They will be encouraging conversations about the dangers of carrying a knife and providing leaflets for families so they know what to do if they are concerned about their child being involved in knife crime.

There will also be an online forum around knife crime taking place on 18 November at 7pm-8pm. Questions from the public will be answered by representatives from the Police and our partners and can be submitted here.

Rob Hessell, Chief Inspector at Staffordshire Police, said: “Knife crime can affect families from various backgrounds and areas. It is important we break down the stigma and encourage open and honest discussion on the topic.

“Parents and families can help to prevent knife crime. Speak to your children about the issues, about their thoughts, worries etc around it and encourage open and honest discussion. Most young people carry due to fear of others carrying, when in fact the reality is only 1 in a 100 carry*.

“We need to work together - It requires the commitment, not only of a range of agencies, but also of the communities of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to prevent the loss of life and permanent physical and psychological damage that serious violence can cause.

“If you are worried about a child and think they are involved with knife crime, visit our website for advice.”

Chit Chat 4 U, a group who support parents of those who are victims of or involved in gangs, youth violence and knife crime, is supporting the Ditch the Blade campaign.

Larissa Cooke from the group said: “The Chit Chat 4 U group were humbled to be asked to be involved in the campaign to highlight the impact that knife crime can have on the whole family. Parents from our group who have lived experiences have shared their stories, which shows it can happen to any family. We want to encourage open and honest discussions about knife crime to break down the stigma and stereotypes often associated with this.”

While there has been a five per cent decrease in knife crime in Staffordshire over the past year, Rob highlights the dangers of carrying a knife and what the consequences could be: “When you carry a knife, you are risking everything. Prison, being a victim of crime and even ending up in hospital are all real risks. Beyond this, knife crime has devastating personal effects on you, your friends and your family.

“While some young people pick up a knife to feel safer, they don’t realise that carrying it makes them more likely to get into serious danger. A knife can escalate things way out of your control, and make a bad situation much worse.

“If you are worried that a friend may be carrying a knife or you feel like you are being pressured into doing so, there is help available.”

Advice and information on our Ditch the Blade campaign can be found on our website: www.staffordshire.police.uk/ditchtheblade

Cheshire Constabulary is supporting a national knife crime initiative to help take knives off the streets and educate people about the dangers of carrying weapons.

Operation Sceptre is a weeklong-targeted approach, which is being held from Monday 15 November to Sunday 21 November. The week is aimed at tackling knife crime and raising awareness.

Cheshire has the second lowest rates of knife crime in England and statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the only area with a lower rate of knife crime in England and Wales is Durham in the North East of England.

Cheshire Constabulary has a multi-faceted approach to tackling knife crime as it endeavours to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county.

Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, who is the Force’s knife crime lead, said: “The fact that we have a lower rate of knife crime than all areas of England and Wales bar one is testament to all the hard work that has been done here in Cheshire.

"Our strategy to combat knife crime through education, awareness and action recognises the importance of communities and voluntary groups have in helping to collectively address the complex issues associated with knife crime and habitual knife carrying.

"Working alongside various partner agencies, including local authorities, education providers, health authorities, third sector organisations, youth representatives and community groups, in recent years we have successfully reduced knife-related incidents and put in place longer term strategies to empower communities and support young people through education and intervention.

“When people carry knives it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life changing injuries or is killed, and if you carry a knife then you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime.

“Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour – through education, awareness and action – to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife or feels that there is a reason to do so.

“However, the police cannot achieve this goal on our own. Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of the whole society.

“If you have any information regarding knife crimes or those who carry weapons please let us know as it could be enough to save a life.”

Retailers also have an important role to play, by helping to ensure that weapons are not falling into the wrong hands. They are urged to have robust controls on the sale of blades, such as kitchen knives.

It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18, and anyone found carrying a knife in public, without a reasonable excuse, faces a prison sentence.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “I am committed to tackling knife crime in Cheshire and will do all I can to ensure the Constabulary have the resources they need to tackle the issue.

“The fact that Cheshire has such a low rate of knife crime is a real testament to the work being carried out by the Constabulary.”

If anyone knows of a knife carrier they can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website. In an emergency always, call 999, or you can contact Cheshire Police via the online reporting form on the website.