Gwent officers continue fight against knife crime and serious violence
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Gwent Police is joining services across the country to carry out seven days of anti-knife crime work as part of Sceptre, the national awareness week.
Officers across our neighbourhood policing teams and serious and organised crime units will come together to carry out warrants and searches.
The teams will also continue to share crime prevention advice in schools and the wider community to highlight the impact knife crime can have on our neighbourhoods.
Knife crime in Gwent is down by 2.3 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024, with 11 fewer ‘knife-enabled’ offences than in the 12 months to September 2023, where there were 476 offences.
Despite this, we still see tragic incidents involving knives that have a devastating impact on families and friends.
Later this month, David Sisman is due to be sentenced after he was found guilty of the murder of Lee Crewe, 36, in Newport earlier this year.
The court heard that Mr Crewe died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest.
Officers continue to work tirelessly to minimise the risk of similar incidents and to safeguard communities from serious violence.
Sgt Phill Jones, who’s leading Gwent’s Sceptre operation, said:
“While seizing knives and making arrests is an important part of our approach, other interventions include educational work in schools, knife amnesties, dealing with the accessibility of weapons by working with retailers and more.
“We’re also continuing to work with retailers to keep knives out of the wrong hands. This includes test purchase operations and a responsible sellers initiative, where we work with local authorities and local retailers to make sure bladed items are sold legally and responsibly.
“There is no excuse. Carrying a knife doesn’t protect you. They can destroy lives, which is why it’s also important we continue to speak with young people to educate them on the consequences of carrying bladed articles.
“As always, the public play a vital role in helping to keep knives off our streets. You can be our eyes and ears in our fight against serious violence and knife crime, and, by making a report to us, you could help save a life.”
Knife amnesty bins have been set up at five police stations in Gwent, allowing people to safely, and anonymously, dispose of dangerous knives and blades.
The bins will be at the following stations and accessible during these times:
- Newport Central: 8am - 6pm
- Monmouth: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- Blackwood: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- Ebbw Vale: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- Cwmbran: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.
People looking to deposit knives at these surrender bins are asked to store them securely when transporting them and then package the blade prior to placing them in the bins so they can be removed safely.