Police get dispersal powers after two shocking incidents
Force investigating if there is any link between death of boy, 17, and alleged stabbing of man, 19, in Swadlincote OFFICERS SEEK TO REASSURE TOWN’S RESIDENTS TWO TEENAGERS IN COURT CHARGED WITH MURDER 17-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER
POLICE in Swadlincote have been given tough new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour after two incidents in the town – one which left a teenager dead having suffered stab wounds.
Officers from Derbyshire Police have already stepped up patrols in the town after 17-year-old Benjamin Orton died after suffering stab wounds on Saturday. A 20-year-old man also was with suffered serious injuries in the incident near The Pipeworks retail park.
Two 17-year-old boys and a 16-yearold boy have now been charged in connection with the incident. The 16-yearold and one of the 17-year-olds have been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Then just three days later on Tuesday, a 19-year-old man was allegedly stabbed in Eureka Park in the town and was airlifted to hospital where he remains. A 17-year-old has been charged with attempted murder in connection with this incident.
Detectives are investigating whether there is any link between the two cases.
Now, officers have been granted a dispersal order, which gives them the powers to move on people if they are causing antisocial behaviour issues.
The order came into force at 4pm on Wednesday, and runs until 4pm today. And since yesterday officers have used the order to move people on more than a dozen times.
The order allows police to disperse people from parts of Swadlincote, and if they are involved in instances of antisocial behaviour, take anyone under 16 back to their home.
Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter said in a video released to reassure the public in Swadlicote: “What has happened in Swadlincote in recent days is upsetting and I understand that people in the town feel shocked. Some families may feel worried about their children, particularly if they are teenagers.”
She said he wanted to reassure people living in Swadlincote that such incidents were rare in the town. She said: “Please don’t be afraid that this is a regular occurrence in the area. Knife crime in the county is relatively low but it is particularly low in South Derbyshire.
“We are committed to tackling knife
crime and have a well-established knife prevention campaign, which sees us working alongside other organisations to identify young people at risk of carrying a knife and steer them away from this path.”
Carl Tring-willis, one of the force’s independent community advisors and chairman of the Independent Advisory Group, said: “I want to urge parents and carers to talk to their children about knife crime and who they can speak to if they are worried someone they know is carrying a knife.
“I understand that some young people may not feel comfortable talking to an adult about knives, or they may be worried about getting a friend into trouble.
“Two people have been injured by knives in the town in recent days and one young man has sadly lost his life. Surely this in itself shows that no good can come from carrying a blade?
“If you feel you can’t talk to someone you know, please consider passing information anonymously to Fearless. You won’t be asked for any personal details but the information you give could help save lives.”
Fearless is a website providing a safe place to give information about crime anonymously. Go to www. fearless.org
Please don’t be afraid that is a regular occurrence in the area. Knife crime is particularly low in South Derbyshire. Michelle Shooter