POLICE chiefs in Wiltshire have promised to crack down on knife crime after a teenage boy suffered serious injuries in a stabbing on the weekend.

The county's force hopes to reassure worried Swindonians by confirming that tackling knife crime is a high priority and saying that officers are committed to reducing the number of stabbings in the area.

Although incidents where a knife has been used decreased between June 2021 and June 2022 (which is six per cent down), police have seen a 48 per cent rise during the same period in the number of crimes where someone has been in possession of a knife.

In particular, there have been more knife-related incidents in Swindon's town centre which is causing concern among the people who live there and around the town.

The rise has become particularly prominent in Swindon town centre.

This messaging comes after a 14-year-old reportedly had his wrists cut near the Link Centre at around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Officers arrested three teenage boys - two 14, one 13 - on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and then released them on police bail.

Police cordons were put in place around three sides of the building and several police cars were stationed around West Swindon, including a parked police van with blue lights on the junction 16 roundabout of the M4.

Swindon Advertiser: Superintendent Phil Staynings Superintendent Phil Staynings (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Swindon commander Superintendent Phil Staynings said: “We are acutely aware of the impact these crimes have on our communities and the ages of those involved are shocking.

“We are utilising every available resource within our organisation to tackle this issue – including our community officers, dedicated proactive staff and colleagues within our firearms unit.

“We are also fully engaged with our partners – including Swindon Borough Council to develop our approach to early intervention and dissuade children from criminality.

“We’ve made use of criminal and civil orders to manage threat and risk - we have successfully applied for closure orders, injunctions and criminal behaviour orders and these have had huge impact in reducing threat and risk locally.

“But, it is clear that we need to do more to combat this issue.”

One option police consider each time there is a stabbing, is the use of a Section 60 order, which allows police officers to stop and search people even if they don't have any particular suspicions about them.

A Section 60 order can be put in place for up to 24 hours but can be extended for a further day, and is limited to a specific area or group of streets. 

Find out more about the orders at www.wiltshire.police.uk

Supt Staynings added: “My officers will use every tactic available to them to reduce the number of stabbings on our streets but we cannot do this alone.

"My staff are fully committed in bringing those that perpetrate such crimes to justice, however alongside the work of my staff, we need intelligence and information from our communities to build up an accurate picture in order that we can tackle these issues effectively.

"We need communities to pull together and support the police in giving evidence for those who perpetrate such crimes.

“I would urge anyone with any information to contact us on 999 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.”