Police in Bristol have been granted enhanced stop and search powers following the deaths of three teenagers, with children as young as 10 being searched to mitigate an “unprecedented” surge in knife crime. Between 15 and 17 February, Avon and Somerset Police stopped 33 people, finding no weapons but two people in possession of cannabis. Most of the searches were carried out in the Castle Park area. During the recent searches, over half of those stopped were aged between 18 and 24, while more than a third were aged between 10 and 17. Just over a third of those searched were from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Supt Mark Runacres commented that he had never seen so many “dreadful incidents” happen in such a short time and that the nature of the weapons carried and used has changed “significantly”. He added that, while stabbings that were reported 10 years ago would have involved people using a kitchen knife, offences recently have seen the use of machetes and large knives referred to as zombie knives. The police need to work to stop the supply of these weapons. The powers were granted following the fatal stabbing of Darrian Williams, 16, in Easton, on Feb 14; and Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, who were stabbed in Knowle West on Jan 27.
Youth worker Joe Secret commented that young people need to be educated on why their “perceived sense of safety” with carrying a knife for protection is “incorrect”. “Young people are scared to go out,” he said. “But we know statistically that you are more likely to be a victim of a knife attack if you carry a knife.” He added that searches could create a situation where young people who have no criminal intent could “end up with criminal records”, although he does not defend anyone who picks up a knife.
Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said the force was aware that the decision to conduct the searches in specific parts of the city “was of concern to some communities”, but said the decision was based on “recent incidents of violence in designated areas and on current intelligence”. She added that knife crime and youth violence are complex, layered issues that require a long-term multi-agency strategy to make an impact. The force has said it will carry out extra patrols and focus on where the knives are coming from for the next three months
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