Knife crime in Bedfordshire has fallen by more than 35 per cent, as the police continue to call for people to ‘Just Drop It’ during national knife crime action week.
Incidents involving a knife fell by 36 per cent in the three months from August to October, compared with the same period last year. Bedfordshire Police have also taken part in a number of initiatives in recent months to reduce knife crime.
In the last six months 1,502 knives and other weapons have been recovered from knife bins across the county, as the police urge the public to surrender their weapons this week during Sceptre – a national week of action by police forces across the country to help reduce knife crime.
This week officers will be carrying out a range of activities including engaging with retailers that sell knives and providing guidance to staff members on the dangers of knives being purchased for criminal purposes.
The police’s education and diversion team will also be delivering workshops throughout the week to encourage school children to ‘Just Drop It’.
Inspector Liz Spurling said: “We are continuing to see significant improvements and positive results in the overall picture of knife-related crime, and it’s imperative we continue to make strides in this direction.
“Knife crime is a complex issue that remains a focal point for the force. This means continuing to dedicate resources that allow us to proactively tackle knife crime in our communities, as well as reaching young people with key messages and opportunities that deter them from crime.
“Our work with partners like the Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit and their commissioned projects has been vital to our successes. We are continuing to amplify their knife crime campaign and join them in calling for young people to think twice, think life and just drop it.”
August saw the force back partner agencies, Luton Council and local non-profit organisation Wingman Mentors, as the Knife Angel landed in Luton for four weeks.
To coincide with the Angel’s arrival, a short film telling the story of Azaan ‘AJ’ Kaleem, who was stabbed to death in 2018, was released as part of Bedfordshire’s Just Drop It campaign.
In September alone, nine knives were seized as a result of high visibility patrols conducted by the force’s Op Salus Taskforce.
Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard said: “Knife crime is an epidemic that needs to be tackled with the vigour that is used to fight a virus pandemic, not least because both can kill.
“Whilst every effort must be taken to remove dangerous weapons and those carrying knives from our streets with the full force of the law and available police resources, we must also persuade people never to carry such weapons.
“We also must continue to stop the ease of purchase and obtaining of knives and related weapons. The zombie-knife ban that was implemented earlier this year is a good start, but it is just that – a start. More can and must be done. We all have a duty to eradicate knife crime.”
