Police join forces with local community group to knife sweep local park
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Officers from our Littleover Safer Neighbourhood Team have joined forces with a local community group Carlisle Against Crime to conduct a knife sweep on a local park
The action was taken on the King George V Playing Fields, Carlisle Avenue, Littleover Derby, yesterday, Tuesday, 27 April as part of Operation Sceptre, the national week of intensification in the fight against knife crime.
Sergeant Ben Wildman, who is in charge of the team, said: “We work all year-round fighting knife crime with our partners, as part of our Project Zao. Part of this response is to pro-actively target those we suspect are carrying a knife. Intelligence suggests that these people will sometimes hide their knife in a public place to cut-down the risk of being caught.
“This clearly causes us concern and so we regularly take part in knife sweeps across the city to ensure any such weapons do not cause a danger to members of the public.
“We are delighted to have the support of Carlisle Against Crime who we work with to ensure this park remains a safe and pleasant place to visit.”
Dawn Gee, from Carlisle Against Crime, said: “Any awareness in raising issues of knife crime is valuable, whether we are on a park or whether it is noticing something is missing out of your knife draw, especially with young people.
“I support this opportunity to work with the police, particularly on these playing fields, an area we have worked so hard to keep safe as a group, since 1999.”
Ben continued “Our actions rely on intelligence we receive from the public and as such we would urge anyone who has any information about anyone carrying a knife to contact us.”
If you know or think someone is carrying a knife then please speak to someone and let us know using any of the following methods:
- Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call us on 101.
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org