City's knife crackdown is great - why stop there?

A NEW city strategy to tackle knife crime has been revealed.

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

But the plans are only aimed at keeping the city centre safe, while community leaders and campaigners warn that measures are needed all over the county.

The multi-agency plans were drawn up to crack down on the number of knife carriers, while providing education and reassurance. They also examine links between knife crime and drug supply, rough sleeping and begging.

High visibility and plain-clothes patrols, stop-and-searches and knife arches (scanners) are just some of the measures that will be deployed in the city centre. Marked police cars will be on duty in Old Market Square, Clumber Street and St Mary’s Place, among other locations

Dr Marcellus Baz, founder and chief executive of Switch Up, a youth organisation designed to steer young people away from crime and violence, said that the scheme could force knife crime elsewhere. “It's encouraging to see the plans Nottinghamshire Police are implementing to deter young people from carrying knives in the city centre.

“Initiatives like this are vital to helping the public feel safe and confident when living, working, or visiting Nottingham, and it’s clear the police are working hard to tackle the issue head-on.

“However, my concern is that this focus on the city centre may unintentionally displace the issue into surrounding local communities.

“If we push the problem out of one area without addressing the root causes, we risk seeing it resurface elsewhere.”

The plans follow an increase in patrols after a string of knife-related incidents in the city centre in March.