IN the wake of a disconcerting increase in weapons offences, the Gazette continues its impassioned campaign to combat this alarming trend.
Earlier this month, the Gazette launched an anti-knife campaign in Colchester following a large increase and concern over knife possession offences in the city in the past year.
The campaign was launched to coincide with the unveiling of the huge Knife Angel sculpture, which is on display outside the Jumbo Water Tower in the city centre until the end of this month.
Our ongoing campaign will see the Gazette call for greater use of knife arches and operational support group policing - with the goal of a reduction in knife offences by this time next year.
Where in Colchester has the most knife crime?
With data revealing Essex Police recorded almost 23 per cent more possession of weapons offences in the city in the 12 months to August compared to the previous year, we recognise that now is the time to act.
Police officers in Colchester recorded 162 possession of weapons offences in the year to August, and while some areas like the city centre and Greenstead saw higher concentrations of incidents, offences were reported in all corners of our city – from Boxted to West Mersea, and from Tiptree to Wivenhoe.
The first step in addressing any issue is making the community aware of the problem.
Several parents of knife crime victims have spoken out about their experiences to raise awareness of knife crime – particularly since Colchester Council announced the 27-foot Knife Angel, which is made of 100,000 blades which were either confiscated or deposited in amnesty bins, would be coming to the city.
Ellie Ingram, whose 26-year-old son Tom Brittain was stabbed to death in Colchester in 2013, previously told the Gazette: “Those individuals [who killed my son] might as well have stabbed me as I can feel every single wound and I need to live with that.”
Anne Oakes-Odger, who was heavily involved in the Knife Angel’s design after her 27-year-old son Westley was murdered at a cash machine in Greenstead in 2005, remains grief-stricken 18 years after her son’s death.
“The shock used to hit me several times a day for many years and he is still the first thing I think of in the morning and many times during the day,” she said after the Knife Angel was unveiled.
“It doesn’t [get easier] because the one thing any family that has sadly had a child’s life taken to violence knows is that it is not a normal bereavement.”
Essex Police has already acted to crack down on weapons crimes in Colchester.
A knife arch was deployed by officers visiting students at Colchester Institute, in Sheepen Road, in March.
Police officers also invited residents to walk through a mobile knife arch in the city centre earlier this month.
Det Supt Gary Biddle said 275 people passed through it in one day.
“On this occasion, I’m pleased to say no weapons were identified,” he added.
While the statistics paint a grim picture, our campaign brings with it a glimmer of hope.
The Gazette’s commitment to addressing this crisis demonstrates the power of a community coming together to address a common concern. The road ahead may be long, but with unity, awareness, and proactive efforts, there is a possibility for change.
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