Weapons sweep in Leeds park as police crack down on violence and knife crime

More than 2,100 arrests have been made and 144 weapons seized across the county since West Yorkshire Police began #OpJemlock in April 2019.

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It came about after a meeting with Chief Constable John Robins and other chief officers prompted the then Home Secretary Sajid Javid to give forces extra funds to tackle knife crime.

Force data shows there has been a nine per cent reduction in all knife crime offences and a 12 per cent reduction in victims of knife crime aged under 25 since the operation began.

Robbery offences, which sometimes involve a knife or the threat of a knife, are also down 12 per cent.

The figures were shared as the force starts a week of action to specifically target violent crime.

Superintendent Damon Solley, who leads on Operation Jemlock, said his officers were teaming up with neighbourhood officers to focus on violence and knife crime.

“This crime type causes so much suffering for victims, their loved ones and the wider community," he said.

“The officers are carrying out activities across West Yorkshire in an effort to remove the presence of weapons from the streets and deter those who are considering carrying weapons.

“It is never the right choice to carry a knife or any type of weapon, as it places people at a higher risk of becoming involved in violence and sustaining serious injury.

“We are keen to involve all agencies and organisations in this week of action as it is an issue we must tackle together.”

Also in crime: Woman threatened pensioner with knife and took charity box in Morley shop robbery

It was in that spirit that the Jemlock team was joined by West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson, Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake and councillors to carry out a weapons sweep in Middleton Park.

The sweep on Saturday was part of a wider series of community events in the city, with a focus on working together to tidy up local parks while identifying and addressing any issues of concern around crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “I am pleased to see first-hand, that targeted operational activity is really making a difference throughout our communities to directly tackle serious and violent crime."

West Yorkshire is among the areas to be awarded additional Home Office funding to create a Violence Reduction Unit, with work having begun on its formation at the end of last year.

It will bring together a variety of agencies from education, health, local government, law enforcement and the voluntary sector to tackle the underlying causes of serious violence.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: "Early intervention and prevention is key - people need to understand that carrying a knife can lead to serious, devastating consequences and can destroy lives - so we are collectively doing all we can to prevent people from making such dangerous decisions in the first place to carry a weapon through targeted intelligence work."

Tactics include the use of safety arches at key locations across the county, with arches deployed at Wakefield Bus Station today to check passengers for concealed weapons.

Superintendent Solley added: “Operation Jemlock has been enabled through dedicated funding to tackle violence and knife crime. We deploy a number of officers every day who concentrate specifically on tackling violence, knife crime and robbery.

“I am extremely proud of our officers and the efforts they have made so far. However, the problem still persists.

“It is a constant and sustained approach which must continue if we are to see further reductions."

Operation Jemlock in numbers

Since April 2019, #OpJemlock has resulted in:

2101 Arrests

1544 Stop & search enquries

144 Weapons seized

3790 Intelligence submissions