Week of action focusing on knife crime

Week of action focusing on knife crime

Tackling knife crime will take centre stage this week as Northamptonshire Police joins colleagues across the UK in a week-long operation.

Throughout the week officers will be engaging with local communities, including young people, carrying out test purchase operations with retailers and taking part in targeted enforcement activity on those believed to be involved in this type of crime.

Tackling serious violence, including knife crime, is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police.

Detective Superintendent Andy Glenn is leading this week’s activity. He said: “We see first-hand the devastating consequences of knife crime and are determined to do all we can to help drive down the number of incidents that take place in the county.

“This week departments from across the Force will join together to help educate, engage and enforce, working with schools, councils and charities to help deliver our message that carrying a knife is not worth it.”

Throughout the week members of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be delivering talks at primary and secondary schools about the dangers of knife crime, while also conducting hot spot patrols and holding knife amnesties.

As part of this work tackling those involved in knife crime, there will be a specific focus on knife-enabled robbery, a crime that often targets the most vulnerable in society and can be particularly traumatic for victims.

Det Supt Glenn added: “Anyone can become a victim of knife-enabled robbery with criminals looking for easy opportunities to commit offences that can have a lasting impact on victims.

“We continue to do all we can along with colleagues from the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership to tackle knife crime, which we know can have a lasting impact on those affected by it.

“Our Youth Violence Intervention Unit is working hard with young people identified as being at risk of being involved in knife-related offences and their families, in a bid to provide a different path for their future.”

He added: “We know that tackling knife crime isn’t just a matter for policing, we all have a duty to speak to the young people in our lives about the very real dangers of carrying a knife, the impact it can have and the consequences for those involved in incidents.

“I also urge anyone who has any information about knife crime, or concerns about someone who may be carrying a weapon to contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously. We can offer support and advice to you. More information is available at northants.police.uk/knifecrime.”