Wiltshire Police has published its first-ever Knife Crime Strategy, a three-year plan aimed at preventing knife-enabled violence and safeguarding people at risk, after 777 knife-related offences were recorded in the 12 months to May.
Partnership approach and early intervention
The force says the strategy sets out how it will work with statutory and voluntary partners to reduce knife carrying, prevent violence and improve intelligence sharing. It adopts what Wiltshire describes as a public health model, acknowledging that policing alone cannot resolve the problem.
"Knife crime may be relatively low in Wiltshire, but every incident has the potential to cause devastating and life-changing harm," said Deb Smith, assistant chief constable.
Wiltshire Police highlighted that a multi-agency response will include the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, local authorities, health services, education providers, youth justice, probation, fire and rescue services and charities. The force said the aim is to prioritise early intervention and safeguarding, to identify those at risk and provide support before offending emerges or escalates.
Statistics and trends
The strategy is being published against a backdrop of a modest rise in knife-related offences across the county. In the 12 months to May there were 777 such offences, an increase of 6.1% on the prior year. At the same time, Wiltshire recorded a significant fall in incidents involving those aged under 18, down by 27.6%, which the force quantified as 42 fewer offences.
| Measure | Figure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Knife-related offences (12 months to May) | 777 | +6.1% |
| Offences involving under-18s | 42 fewer | -27.6% |
Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith said the force had seen benefits from collaborative work to date and that the new strategy will build on those gains. She stressed the importance of recognising links between vulnerability, exploitation, victimisation and offending.
"This strategy sets out how Wiltshire Police and our partners will continue to prevent knife crime through early intervention, safeguarding, targeted enforcement and community engagement," the assistant chief constable added.
Key priorities and actions
The published document sets out a range of actions and priorities the force and partners will pursue over the next three years. Among them are:
- Reducing the prevalence of knife carrying through targeted activity and education;
- Preventing violence by identifying those at risk and providing tailored support;
- Improving how information and intelligence are shared between agencies;
- Engaging with communities and young people to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.
Philip Wilkinson, the police and crime commissioner, emphasised that cutting serious violence requires co-ordinated efforts beyond traditional policing, referencing the Serious Violence Duty that mandates shared use of data and intelligence by local organisations.
Wiltshire Police said the strategy is underpinned by a child-centred, trauma-informed approach which aims to tackle the root causes that can lead to involvement in violence. The force will report progress against the strategy’s objectives to partners and the public during its three-year lifespan.
The strategy’s publication arrives amid national concern about knife crime in England and Wales and follows similar initiatives elsewhere seeking to blend enforcement with prevention. Wiltshire’s figures show that while overall knife-related offences have risen slightly, the notable reduction in incidents involving children suggests targeted early interventions may be having an effect.
Wiltshire Police stated it will continue to work with partners to refine activity and safeguard vulnerable people, while ensuring enforcement remains a component where intelligence and risk indicate it is necessary.
