Alison Hernandez: Knife crime may be falling, but every incident is one too many

Headlines highlighting knife crime and the devastating impact it has on victims, families and wider communities who longer feel safe cannot and will not be accepted as the societal norm. 

Thankfully, in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, knife attacks are relatively rare – but they do occur and every single one that takes place is one too many. 

According to Devon & Cornwall Police data, in the 12 months to October 2025, there were 2,979 incidents of recorded knife related crime. It represents a 1.8 per cent decrease compared with the year prior. 

Further force figures for the year 2024-25, delving further into knife incidents also show decreases. There were 697 knife harm offences recorded between November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025 – an 8.8 per cent reduction compared with the previous year. 

In terms of knife possession offences, for 2024-25 there were 631 incidents – a 12.2 per cent reduction.  

These decreases are said to be attributed to positive multi agency working with the force, OPCC, education, local authorities, and many more partners. 

The figures do not always tell the whole story because of the link between the amount of police activity, including ‘stop and search’, and the number of recorded incidents. 

To help tackle knife crime, last week Devon & Cornwall Police launched a new knife crime website called #NotTheOne which is part of a national partnership-led campaign that aims to educate 11 to 16-year-olds on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife. 

Importantly, it also targets teachers, parents, friends and family who all play a hugely vital role in positively influencing young people’s lives and stop them being drawn into knife crime. 

It also includes supportive conversations and sensitively sharing videos of two victims of knife crime and the parent of a knife crime victim. It is through people bravely sharing their experiences of the devastating impact of knife crime that will help make vital cultural behaviour changes to protect young children and future generations from becoming victims. 

At our force’s website launch, which took place at Bodmin College, students were given a talk by Becky Dustan, the sister of Michael Riddiough-Allen who was murdered in 2023 when he was stabbed outside a nightclub in Bodmin and four others were also injured. The 32-year-old intervened to protect others from the perpetrator, but his heroic actions tragically cost him his life. 

Had the attacker not chosen to carry a knife with him that night, the devastating chain of events would never have taken place. 

In honour of his memory and to try and tackle knife crime, his family have set up a charity called Mike’s Trust. I have so much admiration for Becky who has changed careers from being a primary school teacher to educate young people about knife crime. 

This selfless work has the potential to save lives – not only of those who could become victims but also possible perpetrators who instead go on to lead crime free lives. 

Efforts being carried out by Devon & Cornwall Police also need to be applauded, which include having established a knife crime working group. It helps deliver the force’s ongoing activity around national knife crime as well as intensification weeks called Operation Sceptre which take place every six months. 

During those weeks, targeted action has included test knife purchases - supported by our volunteer police cadets - to ensure Challenge 25 checks are being carried out; a wide range of covert activity, and efforts to interrupt the supply of weapons, including taking down online purchase sites; and youth engagement. 

To help with the latter, my office has invested £6,000 to deliver additional knife arches – walkthrough metal detectors - which are used on a regular basis by neighbourhood teams. 

Interestingly, a report recently published by Demos which sought the views of more than 700 young people on a wide range of topics, found that knife crime is the most commonly raised concern. They spoke about feeling unsafe and wanting it to be taken more seriously, especially by politicians. 

Knife crime is a serious issue in the UK and my office and I remain committed to supporting efforts to tackle it while I remain Police and Crime Commissioner for our region. 

Carrying a knife can lead to a maximum penalty of four years in prison and an unlimited fine and crucially, the possibility that you could end up taking someone’s life. 

If you know anyone who is carrying a knife, please take action in one of the following ways: 

• Knife surrender bins are now permanently situated in local police stations across the region so that the public can surrender knives safely and discreetly at any time. Information about where knife surrender bins can be found at: dc.police.uk/peo 
• If anyone has concerns about someone they know who carries a knife, or about knife crime in their community, we encourage them to report it to us at dc.police.uk/tua
• People can report any information anonymously to CrimeStoppers UK on 0800 555111. Your information could help save a life
• Retailers can visit this website for guidance on selling knives: www.nbcc.police.uk/knifeguidance 
• The #NotTheOne website can be found here