Knife crime clampdown will see police target "key hotspot areas" in South Yorkshire
The Government says it wants to combine police action with public space improvements, including better lighting and redesigning areas to prevent weapons being hidden
Police are set to target “key hotspot areas” across South Yorkshire, as part of a knife crime clampdown.
The Government will provide South Yorkshire with additional Home Office funding to tackle the issue, after the region was identified as one of seven areas where “real inroads have been made” in the fight against knife crime.
South Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector Ash Franklin, who is leading the Knife Crime Concentration Fund implementation, said: "Unfortunately here in South Yorkshire, we have seen the devastating consequences knife crime can bring, to families, friends and our communities.
"Initiatives already in place have seen the volumes of knife crime reduce by 14 per cent compared to the previous year (year ending March 2024). This equates to 235 fewer crimes.
"There is, however, still more to be done and this additional funding from the Home Office is welcomed and will be used to build on this successful work.
"We have been conducting analysis and scanning work to identify key hotspot areas across the force which will benefit from additional activity.
"Working closely with local authority partners and the Violence Prevention Partnership, Problem-Oriented Policing Plans are currently being developed, and will include tactics such as environmental changes and diversionary activity.
"This partnership working is going to be key as we continue to tackle knife crime across South Yorkshire."
It forms part of the Government’s plans to expand an anti-knife crime initiative, as part of which more than 230 areas most affected by knife crime will see more police patrols, CCTV and early prevention work as part of a knife crime crackdown across 27 police forces in England and Wales.
The Government hope to combine “tough police enforcement activity such as enhanced police patrols, alongside programmes designed for young people most at risk of being a victim or a perpetrator of knife crime.”
There will also be improvements to public spaces, including better lighting and redesigning areas to prevent weapons being hidden, a Government spokesperson said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and no young life should be blighted by knife crime.
“Targeted policing and prevention, focused on the areas where the need is greatest, is already cutting knife robberies by nearly a quarter. That means safer streets, and fewer lives lost.
“I am now taking this approach to more than 230 areas across the country. This government is getting tough on knife crime and on the causes of knife crime to make our communities safer.”