In a targeted effort to address the concerns surrounding knife crime, PC Chris, PC Penny, and PCSO Rich visited Whitstone Secondary School in Shepton Mallet this past Tuesday. The visit was part of a broader initiative by the local police to educate young people about the realities of knife crime and promote safer communities.

During the session, the officers engaged with students and staff, emphasizing that knife crime often involves individuals who know each other rather than strangers. This point was highlighted to challenge common misconceptions and to stress the importance of community awareness and personal safety.

The police also took this opportunity to inform the students about legal implications related to possessing offensive weapons, including knives, swords, and bayonets. They underscored the presence of knife bins at Shepton Mallet and Frome Police Stations, encouraging the safe disposal of such items.

This local action is part of a broader week of intensified efforts by Avon and Somerset Police to combat the rise in knife crime, which has seen a 13% increase in assaults involving knives in the last quarter of 2023 alone.

The national campaign, led by the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC), involves all 43 police forces across England and Wales, including education sessions, targeted searches, and community engagement activities.

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, Avon and Somerset Police's Force Lead for Knife Crime, stressed the importance of community involvement: "In recent months and years, we have seen a number of lives needlessly and senselessly cut short by knife crime, devastating families and communities. We are committed to safeguarding the public by actively enforcing laws to deter knife carrying, disrupting criminal activities, and holding perpetrators accountable."

Local residents and school communities are urged to support these measures by informing young individuals about the dangers of carrying knives and using the available knife bins for weapon disposal.

For more information on knife crime prevention and to learn more about how you can help make Shepton Mallet a safer place, please visit the Avon and Somerset Police official website.