Police want to root out knife crime following Winsford death

The town was rocked by the death of Keagan Crimes on October 11 following an incident in Cheviot Square.

That came just days after a machete attack in Delamere Street on October 1, where three men were injured, while two men have recently appeared in court charged with possessing a blade in town.

Following these incidents, there has been a big drive from Cheshire Police to tackle knife crime, but the force insists it cannot solve the issue on its own.

Chf Insp Gary Smith (pictured below), of Northwich local policing unit, had only been in post for little more than a month when Keagan died in what he believes was an ‘avoidable incident’.

He told the Guardian: “There clearly is a problem. One death and one knife are far too many for me, so yes I am worried.

“It’s going on in lots of communities and I think it is a cultural issue with some young children – are they carrying them out of fashion or out of fear?

“I think it is incumbent on me to start looking at what the cultural issues are, what the community issues are, but also asking, are we targeting the people who are exploiting our children?”

Tackling the causes of knife crime

Chf Insp Smith believes a lack of things to do in the area, particularly for those aged under 18, causes frustration for residents – and this is a factor contributing to the problem of knife crime.

There is a lack of engagement services, he says, while the former Edge community centre that closed in 2013 is now a crumbling shell attracting anti-social behaviour in the heart of Cheviot Square.

David Keane, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, shares his concerns.

David Keane is keen to tackle the causes of knife crime

The Labour politician told the Guardian: “What we have really got to do is tackle knife crime – come down hard on it – but at the same time give people the opportunities to do other things, to take them away from criminal behaviour or stop them getting involved from that to start with.

“The closure of community centres like The Edge is really for me just a symptom of 10 years of austerity – money being sucked out of communities, leaving people without hope and opportunity.

“It’s crazy that we shouldn’t expect there to be repercussions of that.”

Keagan’s sister Chantelle also spoke out about the issue earlier this month, calling for ‘somewhere for these kids to go’ to avoid getting into trouble.

But the challenge of transforming Cheviot Square into the hub of a thriving community is one that Chf Insp Smith is relishing.

He added: “I’ve spoken to councillors, I’ve spoken to Keagan’s family, and I think there is a real appetite here.

“My issue is bringing the right people together to get the funding to bring The Edge back up and running again.”

The former Edge community centre, in Cheviot Square

Officers take action on knife crime

While providing new opportunities for the Winsford community is a key ambition for Cheshire Police, it is not the only way it has been trying to tackle the problem of knife crime.

The force has carried out two weeks action in the past two months, with the first focusing on Winsford in the wake of Keagan’s death, and the second as part of Operation Sceptre.

It carried out community knife sweeps and used pop-up police stations in areas which have been affected by knife crime, while there is now a knife surrender bin available at Winsford police station.

Officers seized 45 knives and made 10 arrests across the county while Operation Sceptre took place, with one arrest in Winsford.

Lewis Courtney, 20, of Abbotts Way, was charged with affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place following an incident in Abbotts Way on November 7.

An incident is alleged to have taken place in Abbotts Way. Image: Google Maps

He appeared at Crewe Magistrates Court on November 9 and is due to appear at Chester Crown Court on December 7.

Chf Insp Sarah Heath, Cheshire Police’s knife crime lead, said: “When people carry knives it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life changing injuries or is killed, and if you carry a knife then you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime.

“Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour – through education, awareness and action – to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife or feels that there is a reason to do so.

“However, the police cannot achieve this goal on our own.

"If you have any information regarding knife crimes or those who carry weapons please let us know. If you know someone who carries a knife then reporting it to the police could be enough to save a life.”

Earlier this month, a 31-year-old man from Crewe received a suspended prison sentence after being found in possession with a knife in Winsford.

Scott Young, from Hungerford Terrace, had also assaulted a police officer that was dealing with an incident in Collingtree Avenue on April 25.

The scene following an incident in Collingtree Avenue on April 25

In 2019-20, 350 knife and offensive weapon crimes resulted in a caution or sentence in Cheshire.

How the community can play its part

Cheshire Police says it has a ‘prepare, protect, pursue and prevent’ approach to tackling knife crime that involves other agencies – including councils, schools and community groups.

But the force insists that the only way knife crime can be properly tackled is if the community works together, reporting any issues as they arise.

Mr Keane insists the problem is ‘not something we can simply police our way out of’.

He added: “The community is standing up, Keagan’s family are standing up, and we are saying no to knife crime.

“The way to resolve this is a whole community issue – it’s to ask sisters, mums, aunties, grandmas, grandads to check in with kids if they are carrying a knife when they go out.

“It’s for us to challenge each other about why people are carrying knives, it’s for us to take action if people won’t listen to our requests to stop carrying knives.

Mr Keane (right) spoke with Keagan's sister Chantelle in Winsford last month

“Those knives need to be taken away from people. If the knives aren’t there we won’t have the injuries that can be life changing, or the deaths that we have had.”

It is the same message that Keagan’s family are keen to make loud and clear.

Following the community knife sweep in Winsford last month, his sister Chantelle said: “I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we have been through. I don’t want anyone to end up having to be like us.

“If you see something, act as soon is possible. If you see something, no matter how small, report it. We have to say it when we see it.”

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Detectives are continuing their investigation into Keagan’s death, after six teenage boys aged 15 to 17 were arrested and subsequently released on bail last month.

To report any type of crime involving weapons call police on 101, dial 999 in an emergency, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.