Cleveland Police and Crime Commisisoner (PCC) Matt Storey has welcomed extra Government funding to crack down on knife crime and carry out crucial preventative work.
Money from the Government’s Knife Crime Concentration Fund (KCCF) will be used by Cleveland Police. It will be used to increase patrols in five hotspot areas of Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough.
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey has confirmed CURV, which forms part of his office, will manage some of the services commissioned as part of KCCF funding.
He said: “I welcome the additional funding and plans to target very specific areas of Cleveland to drive down the number of people carrying and using knives.
“Evidence shows that focusing prevention and enforcement on small, hyper-targeted areas is the most effective way to tackle this problem.
“However, enforcement alone will never be enough. We need to get upstream of the issue, find out why it’s happening, tackle the root causes and provide viable alternatives. That’s so young people don’t get caught up in a mindless – and deadly – spiral of violence and criminality.”
High visiblity policing
High-visibility policing acts as a deterrent to criminals, helps build public confidence and disrupts criminal activity in the places most affected. This work will build on patrols already being carried out as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
The extra funding will also be used to implement long-term problem-solving approaches to try and prevent people from picking up knives in the first place.
By working alongside local authorities, community groups, businesses and other partners, Cleveland Police hopes to prevent, deter, reduce and tackle knife crime head on, addressing the underlying causes.
Work funded by KCCF feeds into work already being carried out by CURV – Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV.)
Work includes looking at focused deterrence initiatives and working directly with people most likely to become involved in violence.
Devastating impact
Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hall said: “We know the devastating impact knife crime has on our communities, and we are determined to do everything possible to prevent it and arrest those we believe to be responsible.
“Whilst enforcement plays a huge part in tackling knife crime, it’s crucial we continue to work with our partners to address underlying causes to achieve lasting changes in our communities.
“We welcome this investment, which will help us focus activity in hotspot areas which are impacted the most.
“Information from the public remains key to supporting this ongoing work and I’d encourage residents to continue sharing concerns and reporting incidents to us so we can continue to make our communities safer for everyone. Even the smallest piece of information could be key.”
Provides reassurance
Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: “We welcome this funding which will help police crackdown on knife crime.
“This investment will mean police patrols in Stockton town centre and Newtown will be increased, providing reassurance to our residents and businesses.
“It will also help fund measures such as additional CCTV cameras which will help keep our communities safe.”
Councillor Ian Blades, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The consequences of knife crime are devastating for both victim and perpetrator, and for the wider community, and we all have a responsibility to do everything we can to tackle it.
“This important funding will support the vital ongoing work across Middlesbrough and Stockton, and it really does have the potential to save lives.”