March 14, 2019 4.23 pm This story is over 59 months old

Knife crime needs long-term solutions says Humberside PCC

More investment needed to tackling young people’s choices earlier

Officers “getting in the face” of those looking to carry out knife crime is not the long-term solution to tackling the issue says Humberside Police Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter.

Mr Hunter said the issue was “not as bad” in the North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire areas but admitted there are growing issues with anti-social behaviour and street violence and crime.

He said: “Part of the solution, absolutely, has to be additional police officers out on the streets getting in the face of people who want to do this.

“But that isn’t the long-term solution and it will not solve the problem, but we have to make people feel safe on the streets.”

He said more investment was needed in tackling the choices young people make at an earlier age, including investing in youth, education and social services.

Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter. Photo: Daniel Jaines

“What we’re seeing now on the streets is the result of 10 years of under-investment in those areas,” said Mr Hunter. “People need to understand that – it certainly won’t be solved overnight.”

He said he was aware of a number of anti-social behaviour issues in North and North East Lincolnshire communities with several Facebook groups having been set up to report them.

However, he said reports to Humberside Police themselves were down and officers were investigating whether issues were being missed because of that.

He said his own staff were carrying out regular meetings and engagement and he was working hard to identify where communities and police could be brought together.