Blitz on Blades Brings Results
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
The Law www.essex.police.uk June 2006 SAVE US ALL BOTHER – TURN YOURSELF IN by Nishan Wijeratne POLICE have taken the Blitz on unusual step of inviting members of the public in south-west Essex who know they are wanted by officers blades to contact them prior to hav- ing to be arrested. Residents living in Aveley, Purfleet, Ockendon and West brings Thurrock have been offered this unique opportunity rather than face the embarrassment of being taken away by officers under a high-profile arrest operation following the recent results bank holiday weekend. Letters were sent out to 80 people in IN the first week of the national the area asking them to contact officers, knives amnesty, 664 weapons were with individuals being asked to make handed in to Essex Police – 461 contact with police so as to avoid any domestic knives, 116 non-domestic unnecessary delays. knives, 57 other weapons and 30 Sgt Anna Brennan said: “There are peo- items of interest. ple out there who know that we are look- The other weapons and items of ing for them for a variety of reasons. It interest included a 4ft William may be that they have just forgotten to Wallace-type sword, four Samurai meet a bail appointment or that they swords, 12 ceremonial knives, a have arrest warrants against their names World War I bayonet, a Gurkha for a number of relatively minor offences. knife, a commando knife, CS “But we needed to speak to them in spray, two sickles and a gas- order to get them moving through the powered starting pistol. criminal justice system again. They did Chief Insp Dave King, of the have the alternative of being woken up by Community Safety Department, is us at any time of the day, causing embar- pleased with the response so far. rassment to not only themselves but to He said: “If just one knife is neighbours, friends and family too. handed in it is one less opport- “So we were sure that many would unity for someone to be killed or prefer the easier option.” injured with it. The whole purpose The idea seems to have paid off hand- of the campaign is to take weapons somely.As The Law went to press, a total out of circulation.” of 32 people had made contact with the Police chiefs across the UK have police – 25 warrants had been executed been disappointed and mystified after people had either rung in or turned at the surge in serious attacks up at a police station, and a further which coincided with the launch of seven were arrested. the nationwide knife amnesty, but And at lunchtime on Friday, June 2, officers here in Essex have officers had executed a total of 40 witnessed a sharp drop in such warrants and arrested a total of 16 peo- crime. ple as a result of the campaign. Following the stabbing of a boy Said Sgt Brennan, whose idea it was to playing football outside a write to people who had warrants out- Birmingham school just two days z Supt Glenn Caton and Insp Mark Rayner with two of the more unusual weapons handed in at standing against them: “We found that after the amnesty began, a man Basildon Police Station Picture by Nishan Wijeratne people who called us didn’t even know was killed on a train in Cumbria. they had a warrant outstanding against The five-week amnesty, the first won. “Tackling knife culture, the advertising, but at people who dering the streets of Essex with a them. The warrants office says this is the of its kind since 1995, aims to rid especially among teenagers, is could drift into knife crime or get bladed item, with a further 22 best operation it has experienced in rela- the streets of as many knives and essential for the continued safety into it because of peer pressure or children found to have knives on tion to the number of warrants being other weapons as possible. It con- of our communities,” said Mr some misguided feeling.” school premises. Nearly 300 peo- executed.” cludes at the end of this month Broughton. Specially-designed wheelie bins ple were prosecuted for knife- A dedicated team of officers carried out and police and residents in Essex “We don’t tolerate knives on our painted red have been placed at related crime after being involved any necessary arrests during the four- hope the recent rise in knifepoint streets and every weapon handed all police stations in Essex, with in assaults or street robbery, with day operation. attacks elsewhere is not replicated in is a weapon that can’t be used people urged to hand in offensive five people stabbed to death. After proving so successful, the ‘turn in this county. in crime. weapons, wrapped in cardboard, Police will continue to target yourself in’ invitation has been extended. Assistant Chief Constable John “This campaign really isn’t without fear of prosecution. knife possession after the amnesty Anyone who believes they are still want- Broughton understands the long- aimed at the hardened criminal Last year, 439 people were ends and continue to support ed by police can contact Sgt Brennan at term is where the battle must be who’s not going to be affected by arrested after being found wan- education-awareness projects. South Ockendon Police Station on 01375 362163. 2 The Law, June 2006 Federation news by Roy Scanes Ten years on, will ‘no’ vote still seem right? I WRITE this having just front line officers. returned from the Police z 48.4 per cent of Essex officers Specials, PCSOs miss out on membership thought that firearms should not Federation Conference be issued to all police officers but in Bournemouth. upon, usually by misinformed Home Secretary, Dr John Reid. gave a response rate of 42.7 per that more officers should receive Essex Police Federation sent officers. I sincerely hope they found it as cent for Essex, putting us in the appropriate training and be 24 delegates for three days of This year, I have attempted informative as we did. top half compared to the rest of issued with firearms as and when discussion, debate and to redress this issue by commis- England and Wales. necessary. decision. sioning a conference newsletter, Survey Key issues to emerge from the The above figures are based One of the key issues debated which will be sent to members survey, specific to Essex Police, are upon percentages of Essex officers who completed the survey. this year was the extension to the shortly. I would like to take this opport- as follows: membership of the Police Hopefully, you will find this unity of thanking all of you who z In the last two years, 42.3 per Federation. publication to be informative and took the trouble of completing the cent of Essex officers felt that Feedback Delegates voted firmly against it will give you an insight into the Police Federation survey which their life was in serious danger extending the Police Federation key issues of conference. assessed opinions on the levels of z but 47.7 per cent of you are not Regarding our recent public- membership to other police staff, We invited along Chief threat faced by police officers, very satisfied with the training ations on amalgamations and including Specials and PCSOs. Constable Roger Baker, together attitudes on current methods of available to you to equip you for this year’s conference, please This vote could be a pivotal point with Essex Police Authority protection and whether a higher needs of modern policing do not hesitate to send me for the Police Federation, the chairman Robert Chambers and proportion of officers should be z 63.1 per cent of Essex officers feedback, whether it be good or warranted police officer and the chief executive, Douglas Hayton. trained in the use of, and issued thought that there should be bad. police service as a whole. They attended conference as with, firearms. mandatory wearing of body Without our members’ views, I In ten years’ time, I hope we our guests on the Wednesday, Essex police officers returned armour for all operational duties don’t know whether you find them can reflect on making the right which was a particularly interest- 1,369 questionnaires. When calcu- z 42.3 per cent of Essex officers informative, or am I wasting my decision. ing day, covering Police Reform, lated against a total of 3,208 thought that, with appropriate time? Conference is often frowned Bravery Awards and a question officers in this force at the time, it training, electric stun guns z Roy can be contacted by email and answer session with the new (TASER) should be issued to all or on ext 54562 Well done to all GOOD work and bravery saw were commended for their pro- tenacity, determination and officers and police staff receive fessionalism last August when professionalism during an commendations from the Chief they were called to a house in investigation of rape and Constable in April. Wickford. aggravated burglary. Sgt Ian Carter, PEPYS There they found a man suf- Three men had forced their Programme Manager, was fering from a paranoid attack way into premises armed with given an ACPO commendation linked to drugs, threatening an knives and a gun and wearing for his commitment, hard work ambulance crew – his partner ‘Scream’ masks. and expertise in working with and child were also at risk. Two women were tied up children and young people. One officer was attacked by and subjected to serious sexual He has made a significant the family dog.