Teenager sentenced after knife threats
It happened in May
A swift response, by armed officers, to reports of young people being threatened with a knife, has seen a teenager convicted.
Police received a number of calls on the morning of 7 May, reporting that young people had been threatened, in the Regiment Gate area of Chelmsford.
Armed officers from the Force Support Unit were on the scene within minutes, where they detained a suspect and recovered a knife.
Officers remained in the area after the incident, engaging with members of the public and providing reassurance.
An investigation identified a number of victims who had been threatened. Officers spoke with and supported them as enquiries continued.
'We want lasting change'
A 15 year-old boy from Chelmsford, who cannot be named due to his age, was taken into custody and later charged with common assault offences and possessing a bladed article in a public place.
At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, on Friday 25 September, he was made the subject of a nine-month Youth Referral Order.
Essex Police’s knife crime lead, Superintendent Darren Deex, said: “When we receive reports of someone carrying a knife and threatening others, our response will be quick and robust.
“In this case, our armed officers were on the scene within minutes, a suspect was detained and a knife was recovered.
“That enforcement is vital. We will target those carrying knives and take action to protect our communities, but we also know we cannot arrest our way out of knife crime.
“Lasting reductions will only come through changing the behaviours and circumstances which lead someone to pick up a knife in the first place.
“That requires policing, partners, families and communities all playing their part, alongside early intervention and education.
“Every knife we take off our streets matters, but ultimately we want to stop a young person making the decision to carry one in the first place.”
Changing behaviours
Essex Police combines enforcement with prevention and early intervention, to tackle the causes of knife crime and reduce offending.
Officers can refer young people, aged 17 to 25, who are arrested for possession of a weapon to Essex’s Violence and Vulnerability Unit where trained practitioners work with them, to address the factors behind their offending, reducing the risk they may pose to themselves and their communities.
The period after arrest can represent a ‘reachable’ and ‘teachable’ moment, when young people may be more receptive to change and engagement with support services.
When these interventions are timely and targeted – including support to access education or training opportunities – positive behavioural change can be achieved.
The approach reflects Essex Police’s wider emphasis on tackling the causes rather than only the symptoms of knife crime.
The force has previously publicly described reducing knife crime as requiring a “whole system approach”, involving policing alongside local authorities, schools, health services, the voluntary sector, parents and communities.
The number of suspects aged under 18, involved in knife-related serious violence in Essex, has been in steady decline in recent years.
From a high of 69 such suspects recorded in August 2024, just 10 were recorded in August 2026.
'This is about saving lives'
Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership and PFCC for Essex, Roger Hirst, said: “The swift action of the police officers, who attended the incident and detained the young person threatening people with a knife, may have prevented someone being seriously injured or worse.
“Carrying a knife encourages violence. That is why I set up the Violence and Vulnerability Unit in 2019.
“Early intervention to change behaviours and tackle serious youth violence is all about saving lives.
“There has been a drop of more than 50 per cent in the number of young people attending A&E in Essex, with knife-related injuries since 2019/20.
“But one incident of knife crime is one too many. We must keep driving down knife crime through prevention, early intervention and enforcement.”
Worried about a friend?
Are you worried that a friend, or someone you know, may be being exploited through County Lines, or organised criminal activity?
Maybe they are returning home late, staying out all night, or even going missing for days or weeks at a time.
Are they suddenly being secretive about who they are talking to, or where they are going?
Or perhaps you’ve noticed they have large amounts of money on them, or new clothing, jewellery or phones they wouldn’t be able to afford.
Through Fearless young people can pass on information 100% anonymously to get help.
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