Knife crime prevention continues with safer knives scheme

Resident,

A project from the Derby and Derbyshire Violence Reduction Unit has launched, which aims to prevent knife crime and increase safety.

Thanks to backing from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the VRU has teamed up with Derbyshire Constabulary and Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust to kickstart the Safer Knife Replacement Scheme.

The scheme, which the club have been trialling, involves swapping out traditional kitchen knives for safer, blunt-ended knives.

The traditional knives will then be taken away by officers and securely disposed of.

It is just one part of the ongoing prevention work we’re doing in Derbyshire to keep knife crime off our streets.

David Robinson, Programme Manager for the VRU, said “Prevention is a key part of the work we do around knife crime, speaking to those at risk and making changes before the worst happens.

“We’re really pleased to be teaming up with Chesterfield to replace the knives in the Trust’s kitchen, and to kickstart this programme, which we plan on rolling out further to other areas of the county and also to specific families and individuals at risk.

"While this is just one part of ongoing efforts, providing this additional pathway will undoubtedly help reduce the harm caused by knives."

Inspector Josh Carter, Local Policing Inspector for Chesterfield, said: “Preventing crime and being proactive is something our communities really want to see from us.

“This is a great example of that, and I hope this adds an extra level of reassurance that we are constantly working on new ideas, projects and ways to prevent crime and work with local partner organisations to do so.”

Jayne Bacon, Head of Community at Chesterfield FC Community Trust, said: “Working in partnership to help prevent crime is something that Chesterfield FC Community Trust are very proud of.

“Playing our part using the power of the badge to support safer communities in Chesterfield.”

Nicolle Ndweni-Roberts, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “These are our communities, and we must continue working together to tackle this issue. While the police will remain proactive through hotspot patrols, targeted partnership work with those most at risk, and the use of stop and search, we also rely on residents to report crime and share information. This can be done directly with the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, helping officers act sooner, intervene effectively, and prevent harm.

“Every knife exchanged through this scheme reduces the risk of it being used to threaten, wound or take a life, ultimately sparing families of a lifetime of devastation and grief. I fully support this initiative, which supports our wider work to help address the underlying causes of serious violence and prevent people resorting to violence at all costs.”

Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and chair of the community safety partnership, said: “The launch of the Derbyshire Safer Knife Replacement Scheme reflects the strength of our community safety partnership and shows we are all committed to working together to ensure the safety of our local communities.

 “By working collaboratively through schemes such as this, we’re not only reducing the risk posed by sharp knives, but it also provides us with the opportunity to engage with young people, raise awareness and encourage safer choices.”

Moving forward, the team hope to launch the project with partners in other areas of Derbyshire, as well as making this available to the households of people at risk of knife crime on a referral basis.