Over 100 jailed in knife crime crackdown - police

More than 100 people have been jailed since officers have been able to stop and search people with previous convictions for carrying blades or knives, a police force has said.

Merseyside Police is one of four forces taking part in a Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO) pilot scheme.

Supt Phil Mullally said potential repeat offenders were "becoming less likely to carry a weapon in a public place".

He said the scheme had put offenders "on the back foot".

SVROs were introduced in April 2023 in four force areas - Merseyside, Thames Valley, West Midlands and Sussex - for two years.

"There is no doubt this is a powerful piece of legislation and using this alongside other police measures we believe this can contribute towards reducing knife crime and preventing harm to communities," Supt Mullally said.

In the last two years, Merseyside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for Merseyside and Cheshire has issued 268 SVROs, with 118 people given custodial sentences for knife crime offences.

He said knife crime had gone down by 6.5% in Merseyside over the past year, and violent crime had been reduced by more than 32% in areas identified as hotspots for antisocial behaviour and serious violence.

"By taking part in this pilot, we've been able to closely monitor those who have been convicted of an offence involving a bladed article or offensive weapon," he said.

"The majority of those who were handed an order were found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon or committing violence against another person, such as a serious assault."

District Crown Prosecutor Olivia Murray, said the pilot had prevented offenders "from perpetuating a cycle of repeating and escalating their crimes" and highlighted "good working relationships between the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and our other partners in the Criminal Justice System".

An evaluation of the pilot, which ends on Friday, is due in the summer, after which a decision will be made by the government about rolling out the powers nationally.

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