Hampshire Constabulary is one of many forces across the country to unite in a week of action to tackle knife crime, which comes following 2 stabbings on the Isle of Wight in the past 2 weeks.
Operation Sceptre is underway and will see intensified efforts through operations carried out with partner agencies, as policing teams take a united approach with other forces nationally to tackle knife crime and the associated serious violence it can often stem from.
As part of these operations, Police will target habitual knife carriers and engage with children, young people and parents to educate them about the risks of carrying a knife and signpost them to relevant support services.
Operation Sceptre will also highlight ongoing work with schools, charities, retailers, the health service and communities to reduce knife crime and keep people safe.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic reducing knife crime has remained a top priority for policing nationally. Operation Sceptre brings together police forces in a coordinated national effort to tackle serious violence and will see forces build upon already existing activity that involves crucial engagement and prevention work.
Knife crime offences have been rising since 2013/14, however statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in October 2020 show a 1% decrease in offences involving knives or sharp instruments recorded by the police in the year ending June 2020, predominately due to coronavirus and the lockdown restrictions. However, in recent years increases in knife crime have slowed and we will continue working with partners to reduce this further and make our communities safer.
On the Island, Hampshire Constabulary have been investigating 2 stabbings – the first in Ryde on 31st October and the second in Cowes on 8th November.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Force Lead for Knife crime, Chief Inspector John Halfacre said:
“Reducing knife crime requires a multi-agency response across all communities, the public, private and charity sectors in order to deliver lasting long-term change.
“Op Sceptre will see both an increase in operational policing activity as well as preventative work with schools and clubs to deliver educational workshops to show young people why carrying a knife is never the right choice.
“Across the country there is a structured, overarching approach to tackling knife crime that involves crucial engagement and prevention work. This work is carried out together with partner agencies including Violence Reduction Units and communities.
“Hampshire is a safe place to live, and we’re committed to do our best to ensure we continue to tackle and reduce violence as a priority.
“We are aware some young people carry a knife because of the increasing acceptance among their peers. For others they may carry a knife, simply because they are afraid. Trying to reach these individuals, and change their mind-set, is a complex task and requires the efforts of not just the police, but local schools, charities, friends and families, and prominent members of the community.
“We must ensure that young people know that carrying a knife, even if they have no intention of using it, is a crime and can increase the likelihood of suffering an injury or facing a criminal record.”
If you are concerned about someone you know carrying a knife or weapon, you can report it to police or you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by using an anonymous online form, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If the police engage with truncheons instead of words, there might be a more positive outcome.
These kids and anyone else who think carrying a knife is cool and it makes them ‘hard’….they are weak, cowards and totally stupid. doesn’t help when kids listen to ‘drill’ music, this music glorifies gang violence, drugs, knives and guns. Of course the young impressionable are going to think it’s ok. Ban the music that originated in America, get it removed from YouTube and where ever else this rubbish is posted.
It is the type of people the UK have allowed here, which bring such to our streets, and then our own young feel the need to do the same otherwise they are just victims of such.
Sad, but true, and NO politician dare say the truth, or da truff innit bruv.
You are right vetran.
Whatever war you fought in, you would not have faced the ‘threats’ real or perceived, carrying just a stick if, as you did, you knew the enemy had superior weapons.
Before the UK became a dumping ground for the third world entering mainland Europe and then arriving here to milk our soft benefit system and it’s subtly brainwashed society by various Governments into thinking that ‘somehow’ filling a country with dirt poor, whom have nothing in common with us, only the desire to gain an easy life, which we or our ancestors paid for, not theirs, and then to watch these ungrateful pull knives and guns on our young to m ug, or r ape, proves how untrustworthy such are.
Most guests in an adopted land, if then being given the same benefits and rights, and now more than the indigenous themselves would be so grateful to be given what was, pre their arrival a safe decent land in which to live and fill with their offspring.
So all arrivals here are not the same, hence now such have to force the truth from being mentioned by PC rules and laws, as the masses see the truth, but those in authority don’t wish it mentioned, for it is ‘they’ and their polices which brought this scourge to our once lovely country.
Hence the ‘surprise’ Brexit vote, for the masses seeing such used it as a protest vote, knowing that this type, arrive into Europe, then after gaining acceptance in such, head here, and then if classed as EU citizens we could do nothing about such.
Now with no work for our own, even the decent are no longer needed.