Colchester’s MP is set to raise the issue of knife crime as “a matter of urgency” after a newly published report reveals it is the issue that worries young people the most.
Pam Cox spoken to the Gazette after being made aware of the findings of the 2024 Listening Project survey.
The project is led by the Essex Council of Voluntary Youth Services and Essex Police's violence and vulnerability unit.
On a countywide level, 1,434 youngsters took part in the study, and it consisted of face-to-face conversations between young people and leaders in different groups and services.
The biggest concern for young people in Colchester around youth violence is knife crime, with 31 per cent saying it is the issue that worries them most.
Ms Cox said: “It’s very concerning that so many young people in Colchester are so concerned about knife crime.
“I’m meeting the Essex police, fire and crime commissioner this afternoon and I’ll be raising this with him as a matter of urgency.
“I am fully supporting the Gazette’s campaign against knife crime.”
The ages of those taking part in the project for Colchester ranged from ten to 25.
Knife crime was the biggest concern, but some participants were worried about LGBTQ+ hate crimes, drug dealers and gangs.
Colchester councillor Mark Goacher was surprised when it came to knife crime being the biggest concern.
He said: “It does surprise me a little bit. It’s nowhere near as common as it might be perceived. It is still a rarity, but when it happens it frightens people.
“It is not happening all the time, nonetheless I understand the worries.
“We need to do all we can do to reduce the threat of it.
“It was great when the Knife Angel came to Colchester.
“We absolutely need to work together with police and authorities to tackle it.”
Just over 22 per cent of young people said “large groups” make them feel unsafe.
"Poorly lit areas and dark alleyways" was the next highest at 19.4 per cent and "being alone" followed at 11.3 per cent.
A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed the force is working to tackle knife crime in the city.
They said: “We know that understanding the perception and fear of knife crime is just as crucial as tackling knife crime itself.
“And that’s why the violence and vulnerability unit’s Listening Project is crucial to developing our whole system approach to tackling knife crime.
“In Colchester, we are seeing a downward trend of violent incidents, with a seven per cent reduction over the last 21 months – that’s 578 fewer violent offences having taken place across the area.
“Incidents of robbery have also fallen by 14 per cent in that period, with 25 fewer incidents.
“But clearly, one incident of serious violence or one incident of robbery is too much as there is always more that we endeavour to do.
“We work determinedly to focus on identifying offenders who use knives and will use our stop and search powers if we suspect someone is carrying one.
“We also use knife arches and the Open Gate system to deter people from carrying knives in public.
“For some, it may feel that ‘everyone is carrying a knife’, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If they are carrying one, it is very likely that we are finding them and dealing with them through our proactive work.
“However, we can’t tackle this issue on our own because it requires behaviour to change.
“That’s why we work with partner agencies to try to find solutions.
“These include the Essex violence and vulnerability unit, the Ben Kinsella Trust and other local organisations, such as education, health, local authorities and probation services.”
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