Focus on knife crime in Dorset

Sadly, knife crime is always hitting the headlines and, mindful of this, Dorset Police is holding an initiative this week as part of the Sceptre campaign led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

Public engagement events using knife arches will be hosted in the town centres of Bournemouth and Weymouth, and educational presentations will be provided to thousands of children at schools across the county, providing information about the dangers of knife carrying and offering support.

Knife surrender bins will also be provided at the Bournemouth and Weymouth police stations during the week. Those who carry knives are encouraged to surrender them without question or repercussions from police, to help keep themselves and others safe. The opening hours of these stations can be found on the Force website.

As well as this, weapon sweeps will be taking place in the region, with officers focusing on ‘hot spots’ identified by intelligence.

Detective Superintendent Andy Bell, knife crime lead for Dorset Police, said: “We have low rates of knife crime in Dorset — one of the lowest in the country — but one person carrying a knife is one too many, and that is why it remains a Force priority to tackle these offences.

“We will therefore relentlessly strive to remove knives from our streets and pursue those who choose to carry them and commit offences, helping to keep Dorset as one of the safest counties in the country.

“National Sceptre week is important in highlighting and intensifying our ongoing efforts, with use of the knife arches, educational opportunities in local schools, and the provision of knife surrender bins being just some of the ways we are raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime to both prevent and reduce it.

“The presentations in schools are particularly important in prevention and dispelling the common misconception that a person will be safer if they carry a knife.