THE impact of knife crime can last a lifetime.

That is the message from the campaign run by North Flintshire Police this week to make young people think before picking up a knife.

Sgt Matt Subacchi, who is spearheading the campaign, shared how one victim of knife crime in Deeside is still living with the aftermath.

The victim has suffered emotional stress that has caused a number of problems.

These include:

  • Lack of sleep and/or problems getting to sleep
  • Causing unnecessary arguments with family members
  • A knowing fact from evidential behaviours that parents are worried about repeated incidents
  • Impacting attendance at college for various reasons
  • A fear of peers from college being involved in causing uncomfortable experiences
  • Feelings of paranoia

In the year ending March 2020, there were around 46,000 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales.

Sgt Matt Subacchi, of North Flintshire Police, is leading the knife amnesty and campaign

Sgt Matt Subacchi, of North Flintshire Police, is leading the knife amnesty and campaign

This week's campaign, in partnership with the Leader, the Ben Kinsella Trust, and Coleg Cambria, is using the hashtags #StopKnifeCrime #StopKnifeCrimeFlintshire and #YouCanSaveaLife.

Flintshire North Inspector Steve Roberts said: "Knife crime has attracted a large press audience nationally in recent months, quite rightly so due to the catastrophic impact it has on individuals; both victims and their families and the offenders and their families.

"By carrying a knife the increased chances of someone being killed or seriously injured are clear. Here in North Flintshire I am very focused on preventing any tragic incident taking place and we will deal very robustly with anyone found carrying a knife in public.

"I would encourage members of the public to tell us about anyone that they believe may be a carrying a knife so that we can engage with them and prevent any harm being caused.

"The support of Coleg Cambria and the Ben Kinsella Trust in our drive to stop people carrying knives is hugely appreciated.

"My message is simple: ‘Do not carry a knife in public!’"

An amnesty will run this week from June 1-4, 2021, to coincide with the campaign.

Members of the public can hand in knives without question at the front desk of Connah's Quay Police Station, Wepre Drive, between 8am and 10am.

Police said: "You do not have to provide any details - just help us prevent knives being accessible to anyone. Throwing out old knives - hand them in!"

People are reminded that they must take the knives directly to the police station and only between the hours stated.