A new approach to tackling knife crime

Graphic reading "Thames Valley, We Hear You"

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Thames Valley Police have implemented a tough new approach to tackling knife crime in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Driven by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, Operation Deter focuses on prosecution, intervention and prevention. Initially launched in Milton Keynes in July 2022, Op Deter has since been rolled out across the force area.

The main objective of the approach is to make better use of charging and remanding offenders aged over 18 to court, ensuring that a robust message is sent to anyone found in possession of a knife.

In addition to tackling adult offending, an early intervention scheme aimed specifically at those under the age of 18 has been put in place in Slough and Milton Keynes to support young people out of a knife carrying culture. This pioneering intervention will soon be expanded across the Thames Valley.

Since the implementation of Op Deter, knife-enabled crime has reduced in every Local Policing Area in the Thames Valley with incidents down 13% across the whole of the force area.

You can read more on the Office of the PCC website.

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