Tune into MKFM tonight at 7pm to hear the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley and Leader of Milton Keynes Council discuss Operation Deter, Safer Streets and Illegal encampments in Milton Keynes as part of our Crime Week.
Since MKFM's first Crime Week back in April, multiple new operations and schemes have been launched in a bid to tackle serious crime in the city.
MKFM Crime Week gives listeners and readers an opportunity to raise their concerns, ask questions, and receive updates from key figures within the city.
Now, this week, MKFM Crime Week is back and tonight at 7pm we speak to Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council and Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley about Operation Deter, Safer Streets funding, car cruising and illegal encampments.
One month since the launch of Operation Deter, Thames Valley Police is today (2/8) releasing the latest figures for charges and convictions so far in Milton Keynes.
Results show a significant increase in charge and remand decisions compared with June as the force seeks to adopt a tougher new approach to tackling knife crime.
Read more: Police launch zero-tolerance knife crime operation in Milton Keynes
Since its launch in July, Thames Valley Police has recorded 57 knife-enabled crimes in Milton Keynes with 22 people charged, 16 of those remanded, and 25 bailed with conditions while investigations continue.
In June, 25 knife-enabled crimes were recorded with six people charged, ten bailed, six released under investigation, one cautioned, and two released with no further action.
Of those charged in July, seven have been convicted, with one man, Kalam Shah, aged 18, of Fullers Slade, Milton Keynes, sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work by Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said: “I wanted to launch this campaign to have a big impact in a short amount of time within Milton Keynes and the results to date are showing that this is happening.
“Of course, we need consistency to ensure we keep acting swiftly to get knives off our streets.
“Thames Valley Police is working tirelessly to bring offenders to justice and I’m really pleased to see the initial results of Operation Deter reflect their hard work.
“I look forward to the campaign progressing and hope that people realise it is not acceptable to carry a knife in any circumstance.”
Listen tonight from 7pm on 95.0/102.1/106.3FM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on your mobile or smart speaker to hear the full interview with Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council and Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley.
Full details of how to listen here.
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