Christmas tree among weapons used in violent crimes
- Published
A Christmas tree, spatulas, a roller skate and remote controls were all used as weapons
A Christmas tree, spatulas, a pen and mops were among weapons used in violent crimes reported to Devon and Cornwall Police.
The list also includes an apple, book, cup, remote controls and a hairbrush.
Adam Fouracre, whose brother Lloyd was murdered in an attack where the offenders used a wooden parking sign, said: "Anything can become a weapon."
In the financial year of 2014-15 there were more than 21,800 violent crimes recorded by the force.
'Devastating'
Mr Fouracre, who since the death of his 17-year-old brother has set up the charity Stand Against Violence, said: "There are lots of campaigns on knife, youth and gang crime, but they should be making people more aware of the consequences of acting violently.
"My parents raised Lloyd for 17 years and to have it all taken away in a couple of minutes must be devastating for them."
He added there needed to be a "massive push" on education and "improving the safety of our communities by changing and instilling non violent attitudes in the future generation".
In 2006, Jay Wall and Andrew Betty, both from Taunton were convicted of Lloyd's murder and given life sentences, external.
Lloyd Fouracre was murdered in an attack where the offenders used a wooden parking sign
A Freedom of Information request revealed there were 10,886 crimes recorded as violence with injury, of which 5,651 were attended by police.
It also shows there were 10,932 crimes recorded as violence without injury, of which 4,208 were attended.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the figures were based on the word 'weapon' being used in crime reports, with the description of the instrument used.
However, no details on how the weapons were used or the injuries caused have been released.
Some of the weapons used
Knife - 101 reports
Bottle - 72 reports
Hammer - eight reports
Shoe - seven reports
Walking stick - six reports
Motorbike helmet - five reports
Vacuum cleaner hose - four reports
Gate - two reports
Back scratcher - one report
Camera - one report
Hand gun - one report
Roller skate - one report
Secateurs - one report
Sign - one report
Spirit level - one report
Spoon - one report
Source: Devon and Cornwall Police
A spokesman from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Whilst these figures do throw up some unusual items, it's important to bear in mind that these are weapons that have been used in assaulting a person, or could have been used by an abusive partner in a domestic incident."
Explaining why police did not attend almost 55% of crimes recorded as violence, the spokesman said: "Each time we receive a call we go through a process that allows us to assess the level of threat and risk of harm to a member of the public, and our response will reflect this."