Education 'just as important' as legislation in reducing knife crime
West Mercia Police say they want to go further in reducing knife crime
West Mercia Police have told us they think education 'is just as important' as legislation in reducing knife crime amongst young people.
The force told us they want to go further than law changes, in tackling the crime.
The ninja sword ban...
It comes as a ban on ninja swords came into effect this time last week (1st August).
The ban makes it illegal to own, sell or import ninja swords.
It has come into effect under Ronan's Law, which is in memory of a teenager who was murdered by one of the swords in Wolverhampton.
"Give young people a strategy"
Sergeant Tom Masters from West Mercia Police said the force for Hereford, Worcester and Shropshire are backing the ban:
"The purpose is to take those items out of circulation, so that less people feel they need to carry one.
"We need to give young people a strategy so that they can deal with situations where they may turn to a knife for protection. That is where education comes in."
"Education is one of the cornerstones of prevention"
Sergeant Tom said the force will work to educate young people, alongside the ban:
"Education is one of the cornerstones of prevention. It is better to try and prevent these things from happening in the first place, than trying to deal with them afterwards.
"Education helps stop people getting into knife crime in the first place," he said.