'Make the right choice': Swindon knife crime campaigner leads calls on change
Change Lives No To Knives, based in the Borough, are continuing their work to make a difference throughout 2025
Amid Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner cracking down on knife crime, a local charity tells us how they're hoping the impact of their work resonates across the county in 2025.
These priorities, which come into action from April this year, include reducing violence and serious harm – proactively tackling domestic abuse, sexual violence, and serious organised crime and violence.
And under this category, of course, is the issue of knife crime.
Read more: Wiltshire PCC sets Police new targets in fresh Police and Crime Plan
One of the many local organisations getting to the very root of this widescale problem is 'Change Lives, No to Knives', which was founded in the wake of the death of Lee Turner.
The 33-year-old was fatally stabbed once in the chest back in October 2021 - and following the tragic incident, saw a 17-year-old boy jailed for 24 months, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs following a retrial.
At the time, DCI Phil Walker from Wiltshire Police gave his reaction to the verdict.
"The defendant in this case admitted to carrying a knife for his own protection - there can never be any justification for carrying a knife or weapon of any kind.
"If you carry a knife, you are putting yourself in danger of using it yourself, or it being used against you.
"I would like to pay tribute to Lee’s loved ones at this time. It has not been an easy process for them to listen to details of his last moments in court, but they have dealt with this with the utmost dignity."
You can read more about the tragic case here: Swindon stab victim's family urge youngsters to drop weapons
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Lee's sister, Jordan, told us their mission on teaching locals about the devastating impact of knife crime ensures - as they continue his legacy, working to ensure others don't have to go through what they have.
She said: "Carrying a knife is only going to end two ways: in prison or in a grave. It's all about the consequences, as every action has a reaction, and when someone's stabbed, it's not just the victim's family you've got to think about, but it's the other person's too.
"But right now, it's 2025, and the one person who should be here isn't - and that's because of somebody else's actions.
"Education, for me, is key - as knife crime has really changed my life forever, and I've got to carry on to now try and make a real difference to other families out there.
"I don't think people fully understand the consequences - not until they've been in that position - so that is exactly why I do what I do, because it hits home more when it comes from someone who has been through it.
"A great example is my work in prisons, talking to those who themselves were caught carrying knives.
"2024 was an amazing year, with us winning numerous local and national awards, and we're really hoping to keep that momentum up in 2025 too.
"What I'm calling for is more rules to be put in place for buying blades online, because even now, it's far too easy to get one, without even being checked for ID."
'Reducing violence is a priority'
Following on from an annual report discussing issues including knife crime, PCC Wilkinson spoke about the impact of campaigns, such as Operation Sceptre.
The document said: "Sceptre is a national knife crime campaign aimed at the reduction of knife-related violence and the education of people on the dangers of carrying bladed weapons.
"Officers from across Wiltshire Police will continue their work to tackle knife crime and use it as an opportunity to educate the public on the dangers of carrying a weapon.
"As well as enforcement work, officers from different teams will be conducting targeted activity including weapons sweeps, test purchasing operations and school visits in conjunction with specialist charities and services funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
"Reducing Violence across the county is a priority under Chief Constable Catherine Roper, and the latest figures show the volume of crimes involving knives/bladed articles in the 12 months to April 2024 has reduced by 5.6% compared to the previous year.
"The arrest rate for crimes involving knives and blades over the last 12 months is 51%, an increase of 5.2% compared to the year before to April 2023.
"Operation Sceptre took place from November 15-26 with 40 school and community engagements being delivered to highlight the potential consequences of being involved in knife crime.
"A key part of this was the introduction of Blunt Truth sessions in schools across Wiltshire and Swindon, with four sessions being delivered over the fortnight.
"During Operation Sceptre, four new permanent knife bins were installed in Swindon, in response to an increase in knife crime in the town and over the fortnight, 28 knives were recovered."
You can find practical advice and support on knife crime on the Wiltshire Police website.
Read more: Zombie knife off the street thanks to family of teenager who lost his life
Read more: Owen's World 'dedicated' to eradicating knife crime in 2025
You can also check out the Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029 here and the full PDF of the plan here.