‘Target’ team acts to seize knife from boy

ATEENAGE boy was arrested after being found carrying a large knife in Skelmersdale. Police found the dangerous weapon after stopping the 16-year-old as part of a new clampdown on knife crime across the town.

The boy was stopped and searched in Old Skelmersdale last week and, when officers found the knife, arrested him for possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and resisting arrest.

The arrest made by the newly formed South Target Team, which is a mixture of uniformed and plain clothes officers who are dedicated to targeting emerging threats, organised crime and issues affecting local communities.

Ch Insp Ian Jones, who started the role last year, has made tackling knife crime in Skelmersdale one of his key priorities.

Speaking to the Advertiser in November, he said: “We are targeting individuals we feel might be connected and we’re using all our powers, and our partners’ powers, such as tenancy agreements with the council. Our officers are getting empowered to the normal stop and search powers, which is a very powerful tool.

“My message to people carrying knives is that if you are in the area and you are someone who we believe may be carrying a weapon or any illegal object, whether it be drugs or stolen property, you should expect to get stopped by my officers, because they’ve got the powers to do so.”

Ch Insp Jones also called for residents to ensure any information about crime is given directly to the force.

Police shared a photo of the knife on Facebook, prompting shock and anger among local people.

Among those to call for stronger punishment for those carrying weapons, Ian Whittington responded: “If they knew that the minimum sentence for even carrying a knife was five years this would surely be a deterrent and hopefully get rid of people carrying them.

“Something has to stop this please, before someone in our town is killed or I truly believe that this will happen.”

Anyone with information on knife crime can call Lancashire police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 08000 555 111.