MKFM can reveal how many people have been arrested in connection with Operation Deter in Milton Keynes over the past year.
In July 2022, Thames Valley Police launched Operation Deter, a zero-tolerance knife crime operation, in Milton Keynes.
The force chose Milton Keynes as its pilot area for the scheme due to there being a particular community concern about knife crime after a number of tragic incidents. Operation Deter’s main objective is to make better use of charging and remanding offenders aged over 18 to court, sending a robust message to anyone found in possession of a knife.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the operation was being rolled out across the entire Thames Valley area, and it was revealed that 774 adults have been arrested for simple possession in the areas where Op Deter has come into force.
MKFM can now reveal the figures of Operation Deter custody disposals for arrests of adults 18 and over in MK between 1st July 2022 and 30th June 2023.
In total, 292 arrests have been made.
39% of these have been charged and remanded, while 2% have been charged and bailed meaning in total, 41% of those arrested have been charged in police custody.
38% have been bailed while 15% faced no further chances. 6% faced other custody disposals (conditional caution, postal requisitions, release under investigation).
Operation Deter has been driven by the force and the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Barber, who says the operation has shown 'positive signs' in the city since its roll-out.
PCC Matthew Barber said: “Tackling knife crime is a top priority for Thames Valley Police and I want to reassure residents that the possession and carrying of knives will not be tolerated.
“We have been steadily rolling out Op Deter across the Thames Valley, and it will now come into place in South Bucks, Windsor & Maidenhead, Cherwell & West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale and Bracknell & Wokingham local policing areas.
“This tough approach has already shown positive signs since the initial roll-out in Milton Keynes last year.
“I hope to see this trend continue across the whole of the Thames Valley, where we will seek to charge and remand to court those who choose to carry knives.”
In December, the knife angel came to Milton Keynes as part of the police force's crackdown on knife crime. The Knife Angel is a 27ft sculpture, made from approximately 100,000 bladed weapons collected in knife amnesty bins during police operations across the country.
Almost 700 people visited the monument each day.
