KNIFE crime has continued to spike across Dorset, with a 7.5 per cent increase in the number of knives being confiscated by police since 2018.

The number of knives seized by Dorset Police has continued to rise year-on-year, despite the national lockdown, in 2018/19 a total of 1,315 knives were confiscated compared to 1,391 in 2019/20.

The number of knives being confiscated has been steadily increasing across the county, with 1,413 seized in 2020/21.

A spokesperson for the Ben Kinsella Trust, the national anti-knife crime charity, said: “We need to adopt a public health approach if we are to tackle the root causes of knife crime.

“Knife crime is a problem that policing cannot solve on its own. We need to invest more in prevention and early intervention to ensure that young people who are at risk of being drawn into crime are identified earlier and diverted into positive activities.”

However, the rate of knives confiscated in Dorset is lower per 1,000 in comparison to other metropolitan areas.

Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “In Dorset we do not have the extent of knife crime that is reported in some major metropolitan areas of the country. We have one of the lowest number of knife crime rates per 1,000 population compared to similar Force areas and our county remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

“Part of the rise in reported knife-related incidents is due to proactive neighbourhood policing. Officers regularly carry out checks on vulnerable victims that are targeted by county lines drug dealers, and target areas where we know there is public place violence, which can result in knives being seized.

“Dorset Police has a knife crime strategy that sees us work together with partner agencies and our communities to reduce knife crime in all forms and amongst all age groups. By working closely with partners – ranging from schools to retailers and transport workers – Dorset Police is committed to providing important education messaging and preventing people from carrying knives and engaging in knife crime.

“However, let me be clear, we will and the public would expect us to act upon any intelligence received and any credible threats. Therefore, the public can expect a robust policing response, which could include the attendance of armed officers and dog units, to such reports. We will not tolerate knife crime in our communities.

“Intelligence-led policing allows us to concentrate our resources on the most relevant geographical areas and sectors of society, disrupting and prosecuting those involved in knife crime. An example of this is Operation Fireglow, where officers carry out preventative patrols in the area to deter potential crime or disorder. We have also visited a number of shops across the county and ensured that they are complying with legislation around the sale of knives.

“The Force also regularly takes part in the national Op Sceptre knife amnesty campaign and, more recently the #KnivesRuinLives campaign, which aims both to discourage people from carrying knives and to prevent knife crime. So far, the summer campaign has been well received but a full evaluation has yet to be carried out.

“Changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 mean that from Wednesday 14 July 2021 all weapons banned in public by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, including zombie knives, shuriken or death stars and knuckledusters, will now also be banned in private, meaning people can no longer keep them at home. People who carry knives are at greater risk of harm themselves as situations involving knives can escalate quickly. The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. You’ll get a prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife more than once."

We urge anyone who thinks someone they know is carrying a knife to let us know. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.