Avon and Somerset Police engage with communities and young people during national knife crime week of action

Between 11 and 17 November, all 43 police forces in England and Wales came together for Operation Sceptre, a national effort to tackle knife crime and make our communities safer. This biannual campaign focuses on removing guns from the streets, educating young people about the dangers of carrying knives, and building stronger relationships with the community to prevent future violence.

This week of action comes at a pivotal time for the communities of Avon and Somerset, where knife-related tragedies increased earlier this year. In the last few weeks, two cases have been settled involving the deaths of 16-year-old Darrian Williams, 16-year-old Max Dixon and 15-year-old Mason Rist, who were killed by people armed with knives and sharp weapons. . Most of those found guilty were just children; The two teenage boys, both now 16, were found guilty of Darrian’s murder, to be sentenced on December 5.

Antony Snook, 45, was sentenced to two life sentences for murder; He was sentenced to at least 38 years in prison for the deaths of Max and Mason; Riley Tolliver, 18, and three other teenagers, ages 15, 16 and 17, were also sentenced to prison. He will be sentenced on December 16 for two counts of murder.

These losses have had a devastating impact on families and communities and have highlighted the urgent need to address knife crime and protect young people’s lives.

Throughout the week, police officers have focused on essential efforts to tackle knife crime head on. His actions included:

• 7 arrests for knife possession

• 71 knives were scanned in public areas, 6 knives were seized

• 347 knives were delivered in 22 delivery boxes

• 46 community engagement events

• 57 school training workshops and visits were held

• 60 retail visits to cashier shops follow laws on knife sales

Earlier this year, Avon and Somerset Police launched Operation Hardy, a team focused on identifying and supporting young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in violence or exploitation and disrupting those seeking to carry out this action, in a bid to better address the root causes of knife violence. causing harm and inciting violence. This team so far:

• We investigated approximately 175 incidents involving children

• Attended over 85 child protection strategy meetings

• 14 potential child abusers identified

• Engaged with over 60 children at risk or experiencing serious violence

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, who is leading Avon and Somerset’s efforts to reduce knife crime, stressed the importance of getting involved in young people’s lives early and working with other agencies to make a lasting impact. “We can’t just work our way out of this,” he said. “To truly prevent serious violence from occurring, we need a multi-agency approach that includes education, local authorities, social care and positive role models.”

Operation Scepter is not just about taking action, it is also about raising awareness and engaging communities in solutions. “Education and awareness are two of the most powerful tools we have to prevent knife crime,” Chief Inspector Vass said. “By engaging with the public through these events we are not only responding to knife crime, we are also working to stop it before it starts. “Knife crime affects everyone, from young people carrying knives to families affected by robbery, drug crime and violence.”

Adding to the practice, new laws this year made it illegal to own certain types of “zombie-style” knives and machetes. To keep these dangerous weapons off the streets, the Home Office has run a national campaign asking people to hand in banned items. Avon and Somerset Police received more than 1,000 knives and bladed items during these efforts; thus ensuring that these did not fall into the wrong hands.

There are also more than 20 gun drop boxes throughout the area where anyone can dispose of knives or guns anonymously and safely, no questions asked, all year round.

Alongside this work to prevent serious violence in the first place, Avon and Somerset Police have worked with HeartSafe UK and NHS England South West to launch the Avon and Somerset Bleeding Kit Partnership, an initiative to distribute emergency bleeding kits to communities across the region. This month, that initiative has grown to more than 400 kits that are now installed and immediately accessible for the public to use in the event of a life-threatening emergency involving serious bleeding.

Chief Inspector Vass added: “Preventing knife crime is a shared responsibility. “The more we work with police, families, schools and communities, the better chance we have of protecting our young people and making our streets safer for everyone.”