Police to visit Staffordshire schools in bid to tackle knife crime
Police officers will be visiting schools and colleges across Staffordshire this week as part of an operation to tackle knife crime.
The force is determined to get the message across to young people about the dangers of carrying knives. It comes amid intense focus on knife crime nationally following a series of stabbings.
New figures showed there had been 41 crimes involving knives in Cannock and 59 in Stafford during the past 12 months.
Superintendent Ricky Fields, strategic lead for knife crime at Staffordshire Police, said: "We are doing lots to tackle knife crime and we are actively pursuing those who intend to cause harm within Staffordshire's communities. We will do all we can to bring offenders to justice, however enforcement is just one element of the response needed. Knife crime cannot and must not be treated in isolation."
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: "The tragedies we have seen elsewhere relating to knives are a timely reminder that this could happen here unless urgent and proactive action is taken."
