Teen’s death a tragic reminder of knife danger
THE recent fatal stabbing in Runcorn has been highlighted as a tragic reminder of the consequence of carrying knives as police take part in the national Operation Sceptre initiative.
Assistant Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett said the death of 18-year-old Eddie O’Rourke showed the importance of educating young people about the danger of carrying knives.
Operation Sceptre is runs from September 17-24 and aims to reduce the impact of blades.
A force spokesman said that while Cheshire has one of the country’s lowest rates of knife crime, the county has seen an increase in violent offending as part of a national trend.
He said that as well as using stop and search powers to intervene with those suspected of carrying knives, officers will be working with other agencies such as Trading Standards and Crimestoppers to educate residents about the laws surrounding buying and carrying knives.
Family and friends also have an important role to play, the spokesman said, adding that if they know someone who is determined to carry a knife then reporting it could be enough to save a life.
Retailers are being asked to put in robust controls on the sale of blades, such as kitchen knives, as part of the operation.
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Sacha Hatchett said: “The importance of this message getting across to young people has been highlighted by the tragic events in Runcorn recently.
“We will be supporting our colleagues nationally as part of the operation and officers will use their powers of stop and search where appropriate.
“Our officers will also be working with shopkeepers to stop the sale of knives to under-18s as part of the initiative.
“The law is quite simple.
“If you carry a knife in public, without a reasonable excuse, you are facing a prison sentence.”
David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Knife crime can have a devastating impact on victims and their families.
“Carrying a knife is a crime and we’ve seen in cases across Cheshire that minor issues can escalate into something much more serious and potentially life changing when people have knives in their possession which are ultimately used as weapons.
“I am pleased that police in Cheshire are doing all they can to reduce the number of dangerous weapons on our streets and I would encourage local residents who may have information about those who are illegally in possession of knives to come forward in confidence and report it.”
The spokesman said Cheshire Constabulary is working ‘extremely hard’ to eradicate this crime and is working in partnership with Crimestoppers, an independent charity that encourages anyone with information to contact them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively, call Cheshire police on 101. ● Assistant Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett wants to educate young people on the danger of carrying knives as part of Operation Sceptre