Level of knife crime charges by West Mercia Police revealed

Between April 1 last year and March 31 this year, there have been 160 knife crimes involving victims in that age group, according to a Freedom of Information request to the police force covering Shropshire. Of the 160, 29 cases – or 18 per cent – resulted in a charge or summons. But 120 cases, or 75 per cent, resulted in a non-sanction outcome.

In 43 cases, the suspect was identified, but evidential difficulties prevented further action. And in 32 of the cases, no suspect had been identified so the case was closed pending further details becoming available.

In 27 of the cases, the suspect was identified but evidential difficulties prevented further action, such as the victim did not support or withdrew support from police action. In eight cases, the evidential difficulties were victim based, the suspect was not identified. The crime is confirmed but the victim either declined or is unable to support further police investigation to identify the offender.

Another eight cases were transferred to an external agency, in one case the suspect was below the age of criminal responsibility and in another case the police decided the prosecution was not in the public interest.

Also, in two cases, the outcome was a caution as the offender was a youth, and nine cases are still open.

Superintendent for Shropshire Jason Wells said: “West Mercia Police is focused on tackling and preventing knife crime from occurring, with education and engagement with young people being of paramount importance.

“The figures show that in addition to 18 per cent of knife crime incidents resulting in a charge, 20 per cent of incidents where investigations have not identified a suspect will remain on file, pending any new information coming to light that could help secure a charge.

“We must also account for the 23 per cent of incidents that have been transferred to external agencies, those where the offender is below the age of criminal responsibility and those where the victim has not supported police action.

“Every incident of knife crime is one too many and we want to do our part to ensure lives aren’t needlessly and unnecessarily torn apart. People make a choice to carry a knife and it is a choice that can impact the rest of your life and the lives of others.

“West Mercia Police will continue to work non-stop to make our communities a safer place but we can’t do this alone. We need the help of the people who live within those communities whose intelligence and crime reports remain absolutely vital.”

Police urge anyone with information on a knife-related crime to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.