£3.5 million investment in tech to tackle knife crime announced during Op Sceptre week
GOVERNMENT investment in research of new technologies to detect knives carried from a distance has been announced as forces across the nation tackle the crime as part of a nationwide campaign.
The funding of £3.5 million aims to invest in research, development and evaluation of technologies which can detect knives carried from a distance and hand-held or body-worn systems which can be operated by individual officers.
The announcement has been made as West Mercia joins other forces in tackling knife crime as part of Operation Sceptre this week (May 13 to 19).
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Knife crime ruins lives and recent tragedies show there’s a lot more to be done to take these dangerous weapons off our streets.
“That’s why we’re taking a joint approach and announcing further measures to tackle these heinous crimes.
“No technology can replace the presence of officers on our streets, but as criminals develop new strategies towards crime, so must we.
“New technologies are already revolutionising how we fight crime and we are going even further to give police the solutions they need to keep us safe.”
Laws on knife crime in England and Wales are already among the toughest in the world and this government is going even further.
Laws on dangerous objects are kept under constant review and new evidence has led to the banning of zombie knives in 2016, cyclone knives in 2019, and earlier this year we announced the ban on zombie-style knives and machetes which will come into effect this summer.
It is already illegal to carry a knife in public without reasonable excuse.
Commander Clayman, national knife crime lead at NPCC said: “Tackling knife crime requires a range of tactics working with our partner organisations and understanding where policing can best add value.
“We welcome today’s announcement of additional investment in knife detection technology which is one of the many tools we use to keep our communities safe.”
