Bristol knife crime: Children searched after surge in attacks

The force has said it will increase its patrols over the next three months

Children as young as 10 have been searched to mitigate an "unprecedented" surge in knife crime, police have said.

Bristol officers were granted enhanced stop and search powers following the deaths of three teenagers.

Between 15 and 17 February, Avon and Somerset Police stopped 33 people, found no weapons and found two people in possession of cannabis.

Supt Mark Runacres said he had never ever seen so many "dreadful incidents" happen in such a short period of time.

The powers followed the fatal stabbing of Darrian Williams, 16, in Easton, on 14 February; and Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, who were stabbed in Knowle West on 27 January.

Supt Runacres said the kinds of knives being used in attacks have "significantly changed"

Supt Runacres said during his time as an officer the nature of the weapons carried and used in attacks has "significantly" changed.

"Around 10 years ago stabbings that were being reported to us would have involved people using a kitchen knife, but offences recently have seen the use of machetes and large knives referred to as zombie knives," he said.

He said the police need to work to stop the supply of these weapons.

"To have so many dreadful incidents happening in such a short period of time in my experience is unprecedented," he added.

Darrian Williams, 16, was fatally stabbed in Rawnsley Park in Easton on 14 February

During the recent searches more than half of those stopped were aged between 18 and 24, with more than a third aged between 10 and 17, police said.

Around 14 of those searched were white, 12 were black, six were mixed heritage, and one was Asian.

Most of the searches were carried out in the Castle Park area.

Youth worker Joe Secret said young people are "scared"

Bristol youth worker Joe Secret said young people need to be educated on why their "perceived sense of safety" with carrying a knife for protection is "incorrect".

"Young people are scared to go out," he said.

"But we know statistically that you are more likely to be a victim of a knife attack if you carry a knife."

He said searches could create a situation where young people who have no criminal intent could "end up with criminal records".

"But I'm not defending anybody who does choose to pick up a knife. This is about dealing with facts," he added.

'Complex, layered issues'

Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said the force is aware the decision to conduct the searches in specific parts of the city "was of concern to some communities", but said the decision was based on "recent incidents of violence in the designated areas and on current intelligence".

"Knife crime and youth violence are complex, layered issues which require a long-term multi-agency strategy to make an impact," she said.

Avon and Somerset Police has said it will carry out extra patrols for the next three months.

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