Intense week of action brings results in knife crime crackdown

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, has praised officers for their proactive policing and members of the public for their commitment in driving down knife crime.

During the Op Sceptre week of action last week across the two counties, 338 knives were recovered and there were 20 knife-related arrests. The figures are an increase from Op Sceptre in May 2024 when 281 knives were recovered with seven arrests.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has reported that knife-related crime across the two counties has fallen over the last four years by 8.6%.

PCC Donna Jones said: “Knife crime has a devastating impact on victims, friends, families and communities. Whilst knife crime is falling, we must not be complacent. The work we are doing in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight is making a difference. This is a trajectory we must stay on to make sure more knives are taken off the streets and more lives are saved.

“We know young males are more likely to be the victims of knife crime because they are more likely to carry knives to feel safe. It is clear young people need to feel safer and there needs to be continued investment in youth services which play a vital part in the effort to reduce serious violence.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner funds a number of intervention programmes designed to tackle serious violence. They include A&E Navigators in hospitals for young people who are admitted and need help, programmes in schools that address knife crime, custody navigators for those who need to be diverted away from criminality, and grant funding for projects in communities.

The programmes were commissioned by the PCC’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) that works in partnership to reduce violence among under 25 year olds. Earlier this year, the PCC also announced the Violence Reduction Partnership, a 25 strong partner agency collaboration to prevent and reduce violence across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The projects across communities include the Portsmouth-based organisation Unloc who has helped a group of young people create a new rap track and music video that highlights the dangers of knife crime, youth violence, and gang culture. Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and in collaboration with Music Fusion in Havant, the track is based on their own experiences with knife crime and the impact on their lives and their communities.

Managing Director, Hayden Taylor, said: “This is the first time we’ve had young people create such an impressive social action project such as this by taking their real lives, thoughts and experiences and channelling their knowledge and passion into creating something really special and impactful.”