Wiltshire Police has launched its first Knife Crime Strategy, setting out how the Force and its partners will work over the next three years to prevent knife-enabled violence and keep communities safe.
The strategy comes as knife-enabled crime in Wiltshire rose by 6.1% in the 12 months to May, with 777 offences recorded.
However, the number of offences involving offenders aged under 18 has fallen significantly, dropping by 27.6% compared with the previous year. This represents 42 fewer offences involving under-18s.
Wiltshire Police said the new strategy takes a public health approach, recognising that tackling knife crime requires work beyond policing alone.
The Force will work with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, local authorities, health services, schools and other education providers, youth justice, probation, fire and rescue services and voluntary organisations.
The strategy focuses on preventing knife carrying and violence, identifying people at risk at an earlier stage and providing support before incidents occur.
It also includes plans to strengthen intelligence sharing, target offenders, support victims and educate young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.
Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith said: “Knife crime may be relatively low in Wiltshire, but every incident has the potential to cause devastating and life-changing harm.
“We have already seen positive results through partnership working, including a significant reduction in the number of children carrying knives, but there is more to do.”
She said the strategy would set out how Wiltshire Police and its partners would continue to tackle knife crime through early intervention, safeguarding, targeted enforcement and community engagement.
“Our approach is child-centred and trauma-informed, recognising the links between vulnerability, exploitation, victimisation and offending,” she added.
“By identifying those at risk early and providing the right support, we can help prevent young people from becoming involved in serious violence and create safer communities for everyone.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said reducing serious violence required a coordinated response involving more than traditional policing.
Through the Serious Violence Duty, organisations across Wiltshire are using shared data and intelligence to identify factors driving violence, emerging risks and opportunities to prevent harm.
He said his office also supports initiatives aimed at tackling the causes of violence, including programmes focused on resilience, exploitation awareness, informed decision-making and helping young people develop skills and confidence.
He added that the reduction in knife crime involving under-18s demonstrated the value of preventative work.
The new strategy will guide Wiltshire Police and its partners over the next three years, with a focus on prevention, safeguarding, enforcement and early intervention.
The full Wiltshire Police Knife Crime Strategy can be read here.
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