Robust action taken to combat knife crime

Knife crime devastates lives.

Sceptre week, which commenced 18 May, highlighted Sussex Police’s year-round work to reduce knife crime and serious violence in the county.

In that week there were 23 knife-related arrests, three stop searches where a knife was recovered and 199 knives or weapons placed in surrender bins.

Officers conducted 73 talks with schoolchildren and 30 events on the streets to discuss knife crime prevention with the public.

There were also 22 test purchases, although three failed with action taken and retesting planned for within three months.

Here are some arrests during the week:

A stop check on a BMW in Downland Road, Woodingdean, on 20 May, led to two men being arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, with around £3000 in cash, a knife and a significant amount of drugs seized from searches of the person, car and addresses. A 52-year-old man, a British national of no fixed address, and man, aged 60, a British national, of Hove, were both bailed until 19 August. 

A stop check on a driver of a Fiat 500 at a petrol station in Snow Hill on 21 May led to the search of the car and the recovery of a lock knife in the driver’s door, cash and drugs. Pietro De-Luca, 52 , a British national of no fixed address, was charged with possession of a bladed article and was remanded on bail until 4 September when he appeared before Crawley Magistrates Court on the 5 June. 

Officers stopped a car at Anderson Road, Crawley, on 20 May and all three occupants ran. A local 16-year-old boy, a British national, was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, a knife, and bailed until 21 August.

A 30-year-old woman, a British national, was arrested for attempted GBH after a report of a man being injured with a knife in a flat in West Street, Bognor, on 19 May. A knife was found and the woman was given conditional bail until 8 July.  

Chief Inspector Jim Loader said: “I’ve seen first-hand the impact knife crime can impact on victims, their families, their friends and their communities.

“Over the past year we have seen a 24% reduction in knife crime on our streets but we are not complacent and we still have more work to do.

“We are focusing on realising that change through education. Knife carriage is not commonplace.

“Sussex Police supports the Ben Kinsella foundation pledge to commit to keeping young people safe and ensuring ‘change can happen’.

“We will fulfil this pledge through education to prevent knives being carried as well as robust action on knife crime offenders in our county.”

He adds: “One choice. Two Futures. #KnivesCostLives, is a campaign to encourage children and young people to think about their future before they carry a knife.

“With information for children, parents and educators, you can follow the links and find more information about how you can anonymously report concerns.”

Sussex has recently been awarded nearly £600k from the Home Office’s Knife Crime Concentration Fund for the next year.

This funding is to specifically target and reduce knife crime in four hotspot areas: two areas in Brighton, one in Crawley and one in Eastbourne.

The funding will be put towards bespoke problem-orientated interventions relevant to the underlying causes of knife crime.

CI Loader adds: “If you have concerns about anyone carrying a knife, report it either straight to Sussex Police or anonymously through Fearless.

"One knife on our streets is one too many and together we can work together to reduce knife crime so people are safe and feel safe.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne said: “Knife crime ruins lives in an instant and, too often, young people believe carrying a blade will protect them, when the reality is it puts them in even greater danger. We’ve seen shocking incidents across the South East that underline just how devastating this issue is for victims and their families.

“New laws are strengthening police powers and tightening restrictions on knife sales – but enforcement alone is not enough. Weeks of action, like Sceptre, spotlight the work that is happening all year round – through robust action, early intervention and education.

I remain determined that we keep driving this violence down and protect our communities. My message is clear: lose the knife, not a life.”

#KnivesCostLives