Almost 100 knives seized in Sussex hotspot policing scheme
Police have carried out over 10,000 hours of patrols and made more than 480 arrests in the past two years
A hotspot policing scheme has removed almost a hundred knives from Sussex streets in its first two years of being in place.
The scheme works by monitoring long term trends in knife crime and serious criminality and upping patrols and engagement in areas considered high risk.
Police recorded over 10,000 hours of patrols in eighteen hotspots across six Sussex towns - making over 480 arrests.
"We've had positive feedback from some members of the community who see people out more, see officers out more and feel safer as a result," explained Chief Inspector Jim Loader, Sussex Police’s lead for serious violence and knife crime.
"It's been a really good tactic over the past couple of years and will continue to be so."
Patrols were increased further during a summertime crackdown, with Loader sharing they found a 9% drop in different crime types last year.
"During the winter, when we had those areas we focused in, we saw a 33% reduction in knife crime in those hotspots compared to the same time in the previous year," he added.
The force are now planning how to use fresh government funding granted this week to keep tackling knife crime locally.