Knife crime halved in six months

AN initiative has been hailed for slashing knife crime in Oldham.

The number of incidents has been halved after a drive to tackle youth violence and persuade people not to carry blades.

Police and Oldham Council have been working together to educate young people about the dangers.

It has resulted in a 51 per cent drop in knife-related crime since April, 2010, compared with the same period last year.

As well as learning about the law on knife carrying and the dangers and the possible sentences that can result, young people are shown sobering images of injuries and hear real-life stories about the consequences of carrying a weapon.

High-visibility after-school police patrols have been in place and officers have been boarding buses across the borough to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Police have spoken to passengers about the consequences of their behaviour and have seized alcohol from under-age drinkers.

Stay Safe events have also been running across Oldham during the summer, providing a place of safety for young people on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Youth workers and officers from the Challenge and Support Team are on hand at the events to encourage young people to get involved in positive activities, such as football and art projects.

Chief Insp Haydn Roberts said: “Educating our young people is a key tool in ridding our streets of knives. The Challenge and Support Team and our neighbourhood policing teams have been working with local schools and Oldham’s Youth Inclusion Projects to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and the devastating effect knife crime can have on families.

“By working with them and giving them a chance to get their views heard, the young people can help us get the message across that you are much more likely to become a victim of knife crime if you carry a weapon.”

The initiative is part of the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP), a Government-funded project aimed at reducing knife crime and serious youth violence. To report crime call police on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111. For more information visit www.gmp.police.uk




For neighbourhood policing issues contact your local neighbourhood policing team:
Oldham West, covering Werneth, Alexandra, Medlock Vale and Coldhurst, on 0161-856 8927 or oldhamwest.npt@gmp.police.uk

Oldham East, covering St Mary’s, St James’ and Waterhead, on 0161-856 9028 or oldhameast.npt@gmp.police.uk

Failsworth and Hollinwood, covering Failsworth East, Failsworth West, Hollinwood and Limeside, on 0161-856 8914 or failsworthandhollinwood.npt@gmp.police.uk

Royton and Shaw, covering Royton North, Royton South, Crompton and Shaw, on 0161-856 8983 or roytonandshaw.npt@gmp.police.uk

Chadderton, covering Chadderton North, Chadderton South and Chadderton Central, on 0161-856 8825 or chadderton.npt@gmp.police.uk

Saddleworth and Lees, covering Saddleworth North, Saddleworth South and Saddleworth West and Lees, on 0161-856 4524 or saddleworthandlees.npt@gmp.police.uk

Oldham Town Centre, on 0161 856 8903, or oldhamtowncentre.npt@gmp.police.uk