KNIFE surrender bins are in place in Radstock, Keynsham and other areas of Somerset after a series of tragic incidents claimed the lives of four young people over the past year.

Avon and Somerset Police has launched an operation to tackle and disrupt serious violence and knife crime involving young people. The forcewide operation was announced almost three weeks ago following a number of fatal stabbings and serious assaults in Bristol during the past few months.

Eddie Kinuthia, 19, Max Dixon, 16, Mason Rist, 15 and Darrian Williams, 16, have all lost their lives in the city as a result of knife crime since June last year. In Bristol in particular, we have seen a notable increase (42%) in street-based knife crime offences from 395 in 2022 to 561 in 2023.

The new operation will bring together a dedicated team of police officers and staff from CID (Criminal Investigation Department), intelligence, and proactive response teams, who will focus on identifying those who pose the biggest risk in Bristol in a bid to divert, disrupt or detain them.  

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Peter Warren said: “What we have seen in recent weeks in Bristol and to a lesser extent elsewhere across our policing area in recent months is nothing short of tragic.

“Children are being seriously injured and killed by people of the same age. It cannot be allowed to happen.

“Our intelligence suggests a number of the recent incidents in Bristol have involved children and young people with rival affiliations or links to organised criminal groups, and so our work will be on developing this intelligence and preventing any further harm.  

“We are working extremely hard to identify those who pose the biggest risks to young people in our community, as well as those who are most at risk of being harmed to ensure that we can appropriately safeguard them.

“We would encourage the public to please make a report if you know of anything that suggests serious violence may take place, whether it’s someone in possession of a knife, or someone you are worried may be at risk.”

Knife surrender bins are in place at Bath, Keynsham and Radstock police stations.

Avon and Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) director, Natalie Lavis, said: “We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone affected by serious violence, and that some people may be afraid to express their concerns. The five local authority VRPs offer tailored and targeted support for young people, their families, and those affected by recent events.

“The VRP has been proactive in working together to not only understand the root causes of serious violence, provide support to those involved or affected by it, but also the implementation of prevention interventions for those who are not involved, which is the vast majority of Avon and Somerset’s young people.”

If you are concerned or worried that someone you know may be involved or at risk of serious violence, involving knife crime, please report by calling 101, reporting online or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.