Chief wants to crack down on weapons (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chief wants to crack down on weapons

9:09am Friday 18th January 2008 in Swindon

THE man in charge of police operations in Swindon wants to crack down on people carrying weapons.

Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett said there is a lot of public anxiety and concern nationally about gangs and gun crime.

He said: "There have been a number of incidents involving knives recently, particularly the attack on PC Neil Sampson."

PC Sampson was injured after being stabbed in the head when he was called to deal with an assault in Liden earlier this month. His police dog, Anya, was also stabbed.

Ch Supt Howlett, pictured, said: "Only on Wednesday, a 16-year-old was brought into custody at Gablecross police station from school, in possession of a bladed weapon.

"Our message is clear and unambiguous.

"People caught carrying knives and bladed weapons in public will be arrested and brought to justice.

"However, guns and gangs need to be kept in perspective.

"They are not thought to be as significant in Swindon as other areas, like London and Manchester.

"Where people are in unlawful possession of weapons we will investigate and execute search warrants."

Ch Sup Howlett said burglary was one of the most traumatic crimes that people in Swindon suffer.

"Burglary is one of the most distressing crimes for victims, whose personal belongings are rifled through," he said.

"But so far this year we have had about 100 fewer burglaries in Swindon than this time last year.

"We were catching the people responsible for one in 10 burglaries, but now we are catching about one in three. This improvement is down to making far better use of forensic techniques, better use of intelligence, and members of the public responding