Tackling the horrors of knife crime

The county’s first Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston, is committed to leading efforts to tackle knife crime in Essex.

The PCC said: “I have met members of families whose loved ones have been killed with a knife, and I have seen the devastation and heartbreak that knife crime brings to families, friends, communities.

“One of my first priorities as PCC for Essex is to lead engagement between the police, local councils, MPs such as Douglas Carswell in Clacton, the community and victims to ensure that we are all doing everything we can to end the horrors of knife crime.

“The government has put money into the education system to make it clear how dangerous it is to carry a knife, and we need to build on this.  We need to raise awareness, at a young age, and challenge the attitudes that lead to this criminal and reckless behaviour.

“Comparing April to October this year, with April to October 2011, there has been a thirty percent reduction in knife crime in Essex.   This is a good start, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.   I am passionate about using all available means to tackle knife crime, and ensuring that offenders who are caught face swift justice.”