POLICE chiefs say they are focusing on prevention - in a bid to stamp out violent crimes involving knives and other weapons.

In Wiltshire, the number of crimes involving knives and smashed glass used as a weapon has more than tripled in five years.

Official figures show that the first six months of 2017/18 was one of the most violent on record for Wiltshire Police.

Responding to the figures, senior officers at the force said that any instances of crimes involving weapons were concerning. 

And, while they said that the crime number jump was partially explained by an improvement in how Wiltshire Police record crime, they admitted that crime was on the rise nationally.

Supt Phil Staynings, head of crime prevention at Wiltshire Police, said: “We are not complacent and Wiltshire is putting a positive focus on education, prevention and early intervention particularly with young people. 

“With regards to knife crime, there is evidence to suggest that some young people are choosing to carry a knife believing it will give them protection. The reality is that carrying a knife significantly increases the risk that it will be used, and often on the carrier themselves. Any increase in the carrying of knives is therefore likely to result in an increase in knife related crimes. 

“Wiltshire Police has ongoing work aiming to understand who carries a knife or other weapon and why, and our crime prevention team, local officers and staff are working with a range of partner agencies and schools to develop and deliver presentations looking at the risks and consequences of carrying and using knives or other weapons and the potential impact of doing so. 

“Whilst deaths from knife related crimes are not common in Wiltshire, if you carry or use a knife you personally are much more likely to be injured yourself or risk prosecution, with penalties such as four years imprisonment even if a knife isn’t used. 

“A great deal of work is ongoing behind the scenes by Wiltshire Police however we need the support of communities to eradicate knife crime and ensure Wiltshire remains to be a safe place to live. We appeal to anyone who has information about those carrying knives and other weapons or the use and dealing of drugs to let us know, even the smallest amount of information could help us.”

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “I firmly believe prevention, rather than cure, is key to achieving a decrease in this type of crime.

“Wiltshire is still a safe place to live and work - the actual number of knife-related crime is still low in comparison to other areas.”