In the summer of 2020 a youth was stabbed and suffered serious injuries in Fleckney. I went to look at the scene of the crime and have a think about how to tackle knife crime.
Knife crime and other serious violence is a major factor in the fear of crime in our communities. The police must not only tackle this problem, but be seen to do so to reduce crime and the fear of crime.
In my view, the police should
- Continue with the #LivesnotKnives campaign;
- Work with criminal justice partners to ensure that violent criminals are caught, convicted and properly punished.
- Use co-operation with schools to educate youngsters out of knife crime;
- Work with partner bodies who turn youngsters away from violence and serious crime;
- Ensure that an effective Violence Prevention Strategy is in place and is regularly reviewed for effectiveness;
- Deliver responses to tackle drug and alcohol misuse, turning people away from activities that lead to violence;
- Target problem areas to disrupt the activities of those who carry knives or are responsible for violent crime.
