PCC statement and letter to Policing Minister over knife crime

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “While I am unable to comment directly on an ongoing investigation, I fully acknowledge recent incidents will have left people concerned.

“Dorset has a low rate of knife crime, with recent figures showing violence with injury reports falling by 4% in the county, but I recognise this means very little when people continue to be hurt, leading to communities being left worried and angry.

“Knife crime is a scourge on our society, and the searing devastation caused by those who use a knife needs to stop. I know Dorset Police is fully committed to tackling these despicable offences, but as I have said before, this is an issue which cannot be dealt with by policing alone.

“Through robust enforcement and hotspot patrols, PCC funding to ensure greater visibility of officers in key locations, direct support for knife crime education in schools, close partnership work and lobbying of government ministers over the years, I have worked with every stakeholder partner I could find who is willing to address this issue on multiple fronts, not only from a policing perspective, but on awareness-raising projects such as Changes Are Made with the family of Cameron Hamilton, preventative education and distraction projects and campaigns.

“A significant amount of work is taking place locally to combat and robustly deal with those committing knife crime, but those in greater positions of power must go further, and fast.

“Earlier this month I wrote to the Policing Minister asking for a commitment to help fund a Violence Reduction Unit in our county. This has been a priority for me since I came to office, and I remain resolute in my determination to deliver it for the people of Dorset.

“Solving the issue of knife crime is an issue which transcends local policing. Schemes like the ongoing zombie knife and machete surrender project are a start, but as a nation it is time we go further to turn the tide.

“I will continue to work with anyone and any group which wants to deal with this serious issue. I call on all Dorset’s MPs to work with me to tackle violent crime in all its forms, along with addiction, knife crime and violence against women and girls. You have my number, give me a call and let’s work together to make Dorset the safest county.”

 

Letter to Policing Minister

Dear Minister

I write this letter to you, not only as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, but, more importantly, given the subject matter, as a father and grandfather.

Almost one year ago to the day of writing this letter, Cameron Hamilton, a young man of 18 years, was stabbed to death after getting involved in an altercation in Bournemouth town centre.

Cameron died from a 5 cm wound after the blade went through the left ventricle of his heart; he tragically died at the scene. His family waited patiently for news, silently praying for him from behind a police cordon.

Cameron’s killer, Thomas Betteridge, who had a previous conviction for possession of a bladed article, was cleared of murder after claiming he acted in self-defence and was given a nine-years custodial sentence after being convicted of manslaughter and knife possession. His co-defendant, Lennie Hansen, who brought the knife that Betteridge used, was handed a 13-months custodial sentence.

In response to this terrible tragedy, Cameron’s family, in particular his mother and grandmother, bravely decided that Cameron’s death would not be in vain. They wanted to do something about knife crime; they wanted to make a stand and to try and get the law changed around the carrying of knives.

Earlier this year, Sarah Robinson, Cameron’s mother, launched a petition calling for a blanket ban on the carrying of knives in public, and for criminal sentences linked to knife crime to be increased.

That petition was halted because of the recent general election and Sarah is currently waiting for a new Petitions Committee to be set up by the House of Commons. While the family wait for that to happen, I would respectfully request that the petition deserves a response from government, bearing in mind the significant number of 10,000 signatures which were received.

Further, I would add my full support to the petition. As the law stands, it is illegal to carry most knives without a ‘good reason’, however, it is my contention that there is no ‘good reason’ to carry a knife of any length with you when going on a night out or to a pub or club. Those who use a knife in their career or for sports and pastimes should be made, by law, to keep and carry them safely and securely in locked boxes when being transported.

Knife crime is a scourge on our society. The searing devastation caused by those who use a knife to kill and injure simply must stop. Since becoming the PCC for Dorset I have worked with every stakeholder partner I could find willing to address this issue on multiple fronts, not only from a policing perspective - ensuring Dorset Police had tackling knife crime as a priority - but working with stakeholder partners on awareness-raising projects, putting preventative education and distraction projects and campaigns in place, and championing the introduction of a Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) in Bournemouth.

A commitment to funding the VRU was received from the last government, and I would hope that I can continue to rely on that commitment now that there is a new government in place. Indeed, I will be addressing the Home Secretary on the subject as soon as practicable. Bournemouth has seen more than enough misery caused by knife crime and I want to be able to say to the community that I did absolutely everything I could to deal with the problem, with the full backing of those in higher positions of power. I genuinely believe the VRU, together with the other work and projects taking place, will enable me to do that. We all know that knife crime and the reasons behind it cannot be solved through policing alone. That is why I believe this model will work, it will enable us to have the right services in place at the right time, creating that positive ripple effect for everyone in our communities. This will help us turn the tide for future generations, not just in Dorset, but across the country.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to Bournemouth to find out more about the plans for the VRU and the work that is already happening, by my office, Dorset Police and amongst our stakeholder partners to tackle violence and knife crime in the community.

In closing, I would like to return to the family of Cameron Hamilton and leave the last words of this letter to Cameron’s mother, who wrote in the petition: “It is my hope that enough people can get behind this and we can collectively bring about a change to give justice to families like mine who have suffered an immeasurable loss, and to also try and prevent it happening to others.”

Yours sincerely

David Sidwick
Police and Crime Commissioner