Shropshire knife crime has seen big reduction, says top police officer

Superintendent Tom Harding, local policing commander for Telford & Wrekin, was speaking after a judge warned that people using knives in crimes will go to jail.

The officer welcomed the pledge and said the county does not experience the same level of knife crime as other parts of the country.

He said: “We understand the concern incidents involving knives can cause our local communities.

“But it is important to stress we do not experience the same level of knife crime as experienced in other parts of the country. In June and so far in July we have seen a marked reduction in the number of incidents involving knives when compared to the same period in 2017.

“The number of people found in possession of a knife is also very low, both when looking at the national picture and the population.”

READ MORE:

• Take out a knife and you risk jail, Shropshire judge warns young people

• Fighting a war against the scourge of knives

• Young father is jailed for Telford street attack

• Man, 26, injured in attempted stabbing near Cleobury Mortimer

• Shropshire Star comment: We must speak out on knives

The most recent statistics show a year-on-year decrease of 17 per cent for knife crimes – excluding possession and homicide – in Shropshire, and a five per cent decrease in Telford & Wrekin. In total, the past 12 months have seen 75 of the crimes in Shropshire, and 110 in Telford & Wrekin.

Superintendent Harding said that despite the drop in the number of incidents the force was continuing to work with youngsters about the dangers of carrying knives.

He said: “Irrespective of this we are not complacent and our work to stop people from carrying and using a knife for crime will continue.

“The dangers of carrying a knife are well known and our Harm Reduction Hub works very closely with local schools across the borough to ensure pupils are aware of the consequences of breaking the law. These discussions are very carefully planned and managed to ensure the right messages are delivered to young people.

“On the occasions we do face an incident where a knife is used, or someone is found to be in possession of a knife, we will deal with those responsible robustly and make sure they are put before the courts to face the consequences.

“It is encouraging to hear the courts support our robust approach to tackling knife crime and anyone who is found in possession could ultimately find they end up in jail for a significant time.”

Superintendent Harding’s comments echo those of the region’s crime commissioner John Campion who said: “You are never going to police your way out of it. You are going to have to educate and point out to young people and primarily young men who carry a knife, that it has consequences.”

He added: “It’s about engaging to make them understand that it is not cool, it has consequences, and if you do it, you are likely to get caught. It is about education.”