We must continue to tackle knife crime
I have treated the harm caused by knife crime as a matter of significant concern since becoming Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
I have worked closely with Essex Police to review how the force investigates knife crime and the tactics officers use to seek to prevent it from occurring in the first place. I have met with Ann Oakes-Odger and Caroline Shearer on many occasions, and have nothing but praise for the excellent work that KnifeCrimes.Org and Only Cowards Carry perform in raising awareness with our young people of the dangers of weapons such as knives. In December 2013, I spoke at a knife crime summit in Colchester, where the community was able to discuss their concerns in detail. I will continue to support all those agencies and individuals undertaking important and effective work in this area.
The latest figures comparing the period from March 2013 to February 2014 with the same period in 2012-13, show that there has been an increase of 8.3 per cent for all types of knife crime in Essex. This is an increase of 117 offences, from 1405 to 1522. This is not uniform across our county. Knife crime is down in some of our districts, and the bulk of the increase is concentrated in the areas of Basildon, Southend and Tendring. It is likely that part of this specific increase is due to the changing demographics of some of our communities, increased reporting of domestic abuse incidents, and police activity around organised criminal groups. I am working closely with the Chief Constable to ensure we fully understand the nature of these crime patterns.
Of the 1127 knife crime offences where a knife was used, 512 offences (46.2 per cent) occurred in a private place and 606 offences (53.8 per cent) occurred in public. Many of those occurring in private places will be cases of domestic abuse or, on occasion, drugs-related incidents where the parties are known to each other.
Around a quarter of the offences, 395 offences or 26 per cent, were for possession of a knife or bladed item. I will continue to support proactive policing to take weapons off our streets, and bring those carrying weapons to justice. As PCC, I will also continue to support the ethical and proportionate use of Stop and Search tactics to target those carrying weapons or dealing in drugs. I believe the vast majority of the people of Essex are in agreement with such an approach.
I believe in firm but fair policing. I also believe that our judiciary should continue to have the ability to judge individual cases on their merits. We must make it clear, through education, community pressure, policing and sentencing that it is not acceptable for a person to carry a knife or weapon. We should also seek to ensure that the manner in which an offender is treated is designed to ensure that the chances that they will not re-offend are maximised. As the Transforming Rehabilitation programme is rolled out, I will be keeping a very close eye on developments in this area, particularly with regard to reducing both adult and youth re-offending. Above all, we must always strive to protect the people of Essex from harm.
We all have a responsibility to do whatever we can to tackle knife crime. Crucially, if you know of a person who is carrying a knife or that a violent incident is likely to occur, you should let Essex Police know, either by calling 999 or 101, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. All information received by Crimestoppers is passed on to police, and it forms a key part of the intelligence picture used to inform the operational activity and proactive policing which can help reduce knife crime in our county.
Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex
KNIFE CRIME FIGURES TO FEBRUARY 2014
