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Merseyside Police
'Anti Knife Crime Operation' is a success
MERSEYSIDE Police has hailed the
success of a proactive campaign which aimed to address the issue of knife
crime and the ongoing work being done to combat it.
The Force was 1 of a number forces across the UK that took part in a week
long operation during the 1st week of May 2017.
As part of the week Officers carried out high visibility patrols in key
areas and offered safety, crime reduction and reassurance messages as part
of its ongoing work to address the issue of knife crime.
Officers used a variety of tactics in identified hotspot locations across
Merseyside, including using knife wands and knife arches, as well as
visiting licensed premises, visiting Schools and carrying out knife sweeps
and test purchases.
A number of weapons, including:- 24 knives were seized; and a total of 62
arrests were made for a variety of offences including possession of a bladed
article.
In Sefton Officers carried out knife sweeps around North Park and South
Park. A Police and Community Support Officer (PCSO) recovered a kitchen
knife from New Fort Way in Bootle, hidden in bushes, and in separate
incidents 1 person was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive
weapon and 3 were arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.
In Liverpool 2 people were arrested, including:- 1 on suspicion of
possession of an offensive weapon, along with 2 knives were seized. Open
land searches were also carried out around Alt Park, in Croxteth, the
loopline around:- Broadway Walton Park, Admiral Street Park, Princes Park
and wasteground in Dingle.
5 Primary Schools were visited; test
purchases were carried out at 12 premises and 7 retailers were issued with
responsible retailer contracts.
In St Helens Mounted Police Officers visited the Town Centre on 4 occasions
to offer reassurance to the public and high visibility Police patrols and
knife wands were used at the local train and bus depots.
4 Primary Schools were visited and knife awareness literature distributed
and test purchases were carried out at 7 premises.
In total 11 knives were seized. There were 9 arrests for suspicion of
possessing a bladed article, 1 arrest on suspicion of possessing a
prohibited weapon and 1 arrest on suspicion of possession of an offensive
weapon.
In Knowsley 1 knife was seized and 1 person was arrested on suspicion of
possessing a bladed article. Officers carried out high visibility patrols in
local parks and 21 'walk throughs' at public houses. 29 test
purchases were conducted by Police cadets and 12 stores signed up to a
responsible retailer agreement.
In Wirral nine knives were seized and 7 people were arrested, including:- 3
people for possession of a bladed article.
Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead ran a rolling programme regarding knives and
their consequences and there were information stalls in the Pyramids
shopping centre and New Ferry precinct. A number of Schools were also spoken
to.
Chief Inspector Keith McLachlan said:- "he purpose of the week was not
as a knee jerk reaction to any individual incident, but to demonstrate the
ongoing work that Merseyside Police does on a day to day basis to combat
knife crime. We want the public to feel reassured that the Force is
committed to reducing violent crime and making sure that our streets remain
safe. We are grateful for the support of the community and our partners in
carrying out this work and we will continue to work towards removing knives
and dangerous weapons from our streets and bringing those responsible for
carrying; and using; them to justice. Knives are dangerous and there is no
place for them on the streets of Merseyside. Using a knife can have
devastating consequences not only for the victim and their family but also
the offender. I would urge people to educate themselves, speak to their
children and family members and prevent the repeat of any tragedies. We will
act on all information reported to us around knife crime. Anyone with
information can call Police on:- 101 or the Crimestoppers line anonymously
on:- 0800 555 111. Information and advice about knife crime is also
available
online."
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