Wrexham police station to take part in national campaign aimed at reducing knife crime

Wrexham police station will be amongst those taking part in a national campaign aimed at tackling knife crime.

The town centre station, along with others across North Wales, will have amnesty bins so that knives can be disposed of safely as part of Operation Sceptre between September 16th and 22nd.

Although Wrexham does not have the scale of knife crime witnessed in other parts of the country, the issue is on the rise nationally and it is important the public realise that work is being done to educate people about the consequences of carrying knives and that the police will put such offenders before the courts.

Wrexham Town Inspector Vic Powell said: “Although we occasionally have incidents in the town in which offenders arm themselves with knives, often associated with drug crime, Wrexham is a safe place.

“We have officers on the ground and engage daily with young people and others and thankfully the possession and use of weapons is not common place Wrexham.

“I’d like to reassure residents and businesses that we are taking positive steps to tackle the issue and I would encourage people to make use of Operation Sceptre and dispose of bladed items, making Wrexham safer for them and the community at large.”

Detective Inspector Tecwyn Green, who is coordinating the anti-knife crime campaign in North Wales, added: “To coincide with the national campaign, our school liaison officers are attending primary and secondary schools throughout North Wales making presentations on knife crime as part of the All Wales Schools Programme.”

Amnesty bins will also be placed at a number of recycling centres for people who do not feel comfortable attending a police station.

Earlier this week Wrexham.com reported that Arfon Jones, the police and crime commissioner for North Wales, had purchased 10 new hand-held metal detectors for use by pub and club door staff in a bid to crackdown on knife crime across the region.

Commenting on the use of the devices, Mr Jones said: “The idea being that when a member of the public comes in the scanner will be used as a condition of entry at that particular pub or club. They are an effective deterrent.

“As police and crime commissioner I thought it was important to fund the metal detecting scanners because it reassures the public.

“It means you can go to a pub or a club for a drink or a meal safe in the knowledge that it’s safe. I would like to see their use expanded.”

Operation Spectre will take place in Wrexham and across North Wales between September 16th and 22nd.