Screwdrivers, kitchen knives and a sewing needle: More than 200 knife crimes across Shropshire

Screwdrivers, glass, sewing needles and kitchen knives are among the weapons used in offences across Shropshire.

West Mercia Police say the 93 incidents of crime show a 15 per cent increase from the 81 offences reported in 2015/16 across the Shropshire area.

Meanwhile, there were 110 incidents reported in the same time period across the Telford & Wrekin force area.

The figures for Shropshire, taken from April 2016 to March 2017, show the worst month for crimes involving knifes in the county was May, when a total of 11 were reported.

A total of 45 per cent of recorded offences occurred in Shrewsbury.

Of the crimes, nine per cent were drug related disputes and 53 per cent were domestic related.

In 77 per cent of recorded offences a knife was used, as opposed to another form of blade. In 44 per cent, the knife used was a kitchen knife.

Scissors were used as a weapon in four per cent of offences, while glass was seen in two per cent.

In Telford, 16 per cent of offences were in personal disputes, where the reasons are unknown.

In 37 per cent of all offences, it was involving a kitchen knife, while in nine per cent another type of weapon was used including sewing needles and screwdrivers.

July was the worst month for offences in the area, with a total of 17 reported.

Chief Inspector Sharon Cannings said: “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.

“Many of the incidents were personal disputes where offenders and victims were known to each other, often in a domestic setting or part of a drug related dispute.

“Incidents where people fall victim to a knife crime at the hands of a stranger in the street are very rare.

“However, any type of knife crime has a huge impact upon victims and we are committed to tackling those responsible and raising awareness of the dangers of carrying and using a knife for crime.”

There were 467 recorded knife crimes in the West Mercia policing area in 2016/17, a rise of five per cent from the 443 offences in 2015/16.

Across both West Mercia and its partner force Warwickshire, 40 per cent of recorded offences were domestic related. 97 per cent of these offences occurred in a home.