POLICE in Gateshead are taking positive action to deter youngsters from carrying knives or any other weapons.

Knife crime in Gateshead or the Northumbria Police force area is not as significant a problem as other areas in the UK. To help this continue, the area command is targeting people who are believed to be carrying or keeping a weapon, before they become involved with the police.

Neighbourhood Beat Managers (NBMs) are hand delivering letters to them outlining the dangers of carrying a weapon and the risk of arrest and prosecution if they are caught.  The letter consolidates the words of advice provided at the time by the NBM.

Superintendent Gordon Milward of Gateshead area command, said: "Gateshead is becoming an increasingly safer place as crime, particularly violent crime, falls year after year

"This doesn't make us complacent but encourages us to continue working with our partners and communities to further reduce crime in the borough.

"Information would suggest that some people carry or keep some kind of weapon, often a knife, for various reasons including bravado or because they feel they need some kind of protection.

"Obviously there is the potential for serious injury or even death. Simply carrying a knife means an offence is being committed and will lead to the person getting a criminal record and facing severe penalties.

"We hope people will respond to these words of advice. Ultimately, we hope it will have an adverse affect on the availability of weapons in Gateshead and make the area safer.

"This initiative, which targets people of all ages, has just started but initial feedback has proved very positive and we look forward to this continuing in the months and years to come."

Neighbourhood Policing Teams work closely with partners and the local community to combat crime and full use is made of Stop and Search powers.

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