Police respond to concerns over spate of stabbings in Sheffield

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Henderson, South Yorkshire Police’s lead officer for armed criminality, spoke out after a man was stabbed in the city centre yesterday, two men were stabbed last Saturday and another man was killed in a knife attack on New Year’s Day.

He said: “I understand that knife crime is a concern to people living in our city, as it is across the country and I also appreciate this concern increases when incidents happen and are reported in local media.“We are doing a huge amount of proactive work right across the city linked to violent crime in all its forms. This includes intelligence gathering by our officers, enforcement activity such as warrants and also education within our schools, colleges and universities.“Last year officers carried out 5,216 stop and searches in Sheffield, which we are continuing into 2020. These searches play a huge part in reducing knife-enabled crime and also in raising awareness of the consequences of carrying knives.

“We also regularly deploy the force’s Serious Violent Crime Taskforce in key areas across the city centre who carry out highly concentrated enforcement activity.”

He added: “To deal with knife crime effectively I cannot stress enough how vital it is that the public communicate with us. I understand that it is sometimes difficult to speak to the police, but please know that we are here to listen and help you, your families and communities more widely.

“If you have concerns about an individual, or a group of people, I’d urge you to think about speaking to us.“There are always ways you can give information anonymously too, the charity Crimestoppers are there for you to stay 100 per cent anonymous.“Similarly, if you spot something that doesn’t seem quite right, report it.”

DCI Henderson said: “In the last week we have recovered a knife from the city centre, discovered by a member of the public, who called us and reported it. It seems like a small thing, but that is another knife off the streets of our city.“Finally to the people seeing it as routine or ‘normal’ to carry a knife, or other weapons, this should not be routine and should not be ‘normal’ in our city. Think about the consequences and the damage you can do to others and to yourself. Leave the knife at home.”