Community · Swindon
Youth knife crime offences nearly halve in Wiltshire
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Offences involving under-18s have significantly decreased over the past three years, according to figures shared at a recent community safety summit in Swindon.
A recent summit held in Swindon has highlighted a significant shift in local knife crime statistics, with figures revealing that offences involving those under the age of 18 have nearly halved across Wiltshire over the last three years. The event, hosted by the Owen's World Foundation, brought together local organisations, charities, and police officials to discuss collaborative approaches to violence prevention.
While overall knife-enabled crime has shown an increase across the county, the reduction in incidents involving young people has been identified as a key success for local intervention programmes. Superintendent Mike Vass, the strategic lead for knife crime and serious violence at Wiltshire Police, praised the impact of community-led initiatives that focus on education and early support.
The Owen's World Foundation, which was established following the death of Owen Dunn in 2022, has become a central figure in these efforts. The organisation has worked to install knife surrender bins and bleed kits throughout Swindon while engaging with schools and community groups to highlight the consequences of carrying blades. Jo Davis, a founder of the foundation, emphasised the importance of the summit in bringing diverse groups together to share knowledge and reach young people before they become involved in violence.
Philip Wilkinson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, reaffirmed his commitment to backing these community efforts. His office is currently funding the Blunt Truth sessions in schools across the county, which aim to educate students on the realities and dangers of knife crime. Mr Wilkinson stressed that preventing such incidents requires a unified response from all sectors of society, including schools, charities, and public bodies.
Despite the positive trend in youth-related offences, Mr Wilkinson acknowledged the ongoing challenge of resourcing. He reiterated his intention to continue lobbying the Government for a revised funding formula that better reflects the operational demands placed on Wiltshire Police. The Commissioner noted that while the county maintains lower rates of knife crime than many other regions, the impact remains devastating for the families and communities affected by each incident.
The summit concluded with a clear call for continued partnership working, as local leaders look to build on the progress made in keeping young people away from the dangers of knife crime.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Salisbury · View original