knife crime research - local newspaper 'the portsmouth news'

Portsmouth night spots targeted in knife crime blitz

Police are to seal off Gunwharf Quays with a 'ring of steel' in a huge crackdown on drugs and knife crime.

The operation at the Portsmouth nightspot is the most high-profile part of a huge blitz in the run-up to Christmas.

Portable 'knife-arch' metal detectors, sniffer dogs and drug swabs will be used in 10 locations across Portsmouth including Gunwharf, Guildhall Walk and Southsea in December.

The Gunwharf operation is the biggest, and will see 12 police officers and eight special constables creating the ring of steel around Gunwharf Quays.

No-one will be able to enter or leave the venue without going through a checkpoint for knives and weapons and a sniffer dog during the evening.

Police won't say when they will be carrying out the operations, but they will be held after shopping hours.

They say there is no problem with knife crime in the area, but they want residents and Christmas revellers to feel safe and secure.

Inspector Louise Tester, who leads Portsmouth's violent crime reduction and licensing teams, said: 'Gunwharf is one of the safest places in Portsmouth to go out in. We want to maintain that.

'Nobody will be able to get into or leave the area without passing a police checkpoint for drugs and weapons. For the majority of members of the public who are law-abiding it will not be a problem.

'If the knife arch bleeps we will have grounds to search the person to ensure they are not carrying any weapons. If a drugs dog sits down in front of someone it means either that person has got drugs on them or has been in contact with drugs, which would necessitate a search as well.'

The city-wide operations are supplemented by 6,000 from the government's Tackling Knives Action Programme.

Inspector Tester added: 'There are a lot more people out enjoying themselves over the Christmas period. We want to ensure they enjoy themselves safely.'

Peter Emery, Gunwharf Quays director, said: 'This is not a reaction to a problem, it's more about public reassurance and sending a signal to the public that we are working closely with the police.

Portsmouth to get cash to tackle knife crime

Portsmouth is getting a share of £5m to help tackle knife crime and youth violence.

The Home Office announced the Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Programme will be extended for one more year.

The third phase of the programme will operate in 52 areas, including Portsmouth, and will support tough enforcement and education.

So far work has included an increase in stops and searches including extra mobile knife scanners, nights of intensive enforcement and prevention action, education sessions for more than 200,000 young people to make them aware of the dangers of knives and a public information campaign.

Both police forces and community organisations will get a share of the cash to continue similar schemes.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, said: 'I am proud of Labour's record of dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour. Today's announcement is further evidence of Labour's determination to use every tool available to cut crime and make communities across Portsmouth safer still.'