Police chief’s pledge to tackle knife crime in Shropshire

It comes as the Shropshire Star revealed yesterday that children as young as five have been involved in knife crime in the county.

West Mercia Police Chief Superintendent Charles Hill said it was concerning.

He added: “We acknowledge, in line with national data, there has been an increase in reported knife crime in the county and we understand the concern this may cause to local people.

Domestic

“Almost half of incidents in 2016/17 were personal disputes where offenders and victims were known to each other, often in a domestic setting or part of a drug related dispute.

“The chances of falling victim to a knife crime at the hands of a stranger in the street are still small.”

Supt Hill added that statistics have shown that those who carry a knife are more likely to be assaulted.

He said: “However, we have seen the devastating effects knife crime can have on victims, their friends and family and the wider community.

“We are committed to bringing those responsible to justice and educating people on the dangers and consequences associated with carrying a knife.

“There is a particular focus on educating children.

“Anyone who thinks that carrying a knife will make them safer needs to think again, statistics show us that those who carry a knife are more likely to be assaulted.”

A campaign will be launched next month to tackle knife crime including the opportunity for knives to be surrendered at police stations in Telford and Shrewsbury.

Supt Hill added: “In September, we will be running another campaign aimed at tackling knife crime and raising awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying knives. This will include a knife surrender that will give people the opportunity to surrender knives at police stations in Shropshire and Telford.

“We are also carrying out an analysis of knife crime in the county that will allow us to identify problem areas.”

“Officers continue to use our stop and search powers to target those people who carry knives and arrest offenders.

“We ask the public to let us know of any concerns they may have or information about people carrying knives so that we can address this behaviour.”

If anyone has information about someone carrying a knife they can call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org