GRAPHIC CONTENT: Dangerous knives taken off Swindon's streets in police amnesty

More than 70 weapons were handed in to Gablecross Police Station over the past fortnight, as Wiltshire Police marked national anti-knife campaign Operation Sceptre.

Sgt David Tippetts said: “They ranged from small kitchen-type knives right up to four swords. There are some particularly fierce looking knives handed-in.

“I’ve not been surprised by the number, but I have been at some of the weapons. I was expecting to get some kitchen knives handed in for sure, but I think we’ve had half a dozen swords handed in as well as some extremely large hunting-style knives.”

A series of raids saw officers storm suspected drug dens across Swindon. At one flat in Milverton Court, Walcot, they seized a machete with a 16-inch serrated blade, a commando-style knife, axe and a bundle of cash, together with class A drug bagged and ready for sale.

During the fortnight, detectives found themselves investigating a stabbing in Eldene that put a 20-year-old man in hospital, as well as a suspected pepper spray attack in the town centre and assault in Grange Park.

Some of the knives seized in a raid on a Gorse Hill home. Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Despite this, Wiltshire Police says Swindon and the wider county remain safe places to live. In Wiltshire overall, the number of knife crime reports have remained relatively stable over the past two years. However, in Swindon, reports rose slightly to 345 between August 2017 and July this year.

Sgt Tippetts said: “Wiltshire and Swindon are safe places to live. Yes, we had 70 weapons handed in and yes, we’ve conducted warrants, but in the main it’s not something people should be worried about.”

“We always respond to intelligence we receive, so if anyone knows of someone who habitually carries a knife or somewhere weapons maybe stashed, they should let us know in the usual way by calling 101 or Crimestoppers.”

He said the focus now would be on educating youngsters about the dangers of carrying weapons like knives: “It’s been widely reported in the media young people feel the need to protect themselves, even if they’re not particularly at any risk. The educational work we’re doing is key to reducing this type of crime.

“The enforcement is all well and good – and it looks good when you’ve got money, drugs and a great big knife – but really we want to stop people before they get to that point.

“By carrying a knife you’re putting yourself at risk of becoming a victim of violent crime.”

'I was stabbed in the chest - and I still bear the scars'

A STABBING victim said he had to deal daily with the memory of being attacked.

Craig, who spoke out on condition he remained anonymous, was stabbed and left for dead. The 12-inch knife plunged through his elbow and into his torso missed his heart by millimetres.

The one time London gang-member, who moved to Wiltshire in the 1990s, said: “Time has passed but I still have to live with the physical and mental pain of that attack - I’m on pain killers and struggle with anxiety.

“It’s something I am going to have to live with for the rest of my life and the long scar on my body, the one I see when I wake up, is a daily reminder too.”

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Craig's stab wound. Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

He was walking to his car when he was verbally abused by the man who went on to attack him: “Looking back I wished I had just walked away from this individual - but I wanted to know why he was abusing me and goading me in to fighting him. I know I should have left and it was that mistake which almost cost me my life.

“I now teach my boy to always walk or run away from trouble - I’ve lost friends who didn’t run and now they’re dead.”

First on the scene for screwdriver murder

EACH of the 71 knives handed in to Gablecross Police Station had the potential to take a life.

But it’s not just knives that can kill. It’s a fact Sgt David Tippetts knows only too well.

The police officer of 13 years was one of the first officers at the scene of the murder of Alison Connolly, who died after being stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver in May 2015. Two sisters, Charice and Amberstasia Gassman, were later found guilty of the killing.

Sgt Tippetts said: “I’d only just started working in Swindon when this tragic incident happened. I arrived and was just amazed how quickly the paramedics worked to try and save the life of this poor woman.

“It was all a blur in one way but one thing that sticks in my mind is how little blood there was at the scene. This was a fatal stabbing but only a few drops of blood were evident.

Charice Gassman) charged with the murder of Alison Connolly

Charice Gasmann, who is serving time for murder.

“This shows that a really serious injury can appear quite innocuous when it’s not - and in this case it killed an innocent woman. The weapon was a screwdriver but it’s a bladed article as far as the police is concerned and in this case it did as much damage as a knife.

“At the end of day our message is the same - if you pick up a knife or any bladed weapon with the intention of harming someone you could be facing an attempted murder or even a murder charge.

“If you have a weapon in your hand, pick up a knife in anger or have one in your possession then the punishment is right up the scale of seriousness when it comes to the law. You will go to prison.”

In 2015, the Gassman sisters were sentenced to a total of 31 years for killing Alison Connolly. Last December, Charice Gassman lost an appeal to have her conviction for murder overturned on the basis she was mentally ill at the time.