KNOWSLEY Council has invested in knife wands in an effort to tackle crimes in relation to use of the weapons.

It forms part of a multi-agency project, including Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service, Registered Providers of Social Housing and Knowsley Youth Mutual to raise awareness of and prevent knife crime.

This comes with the issue of knife crime being brought under the spotlight in the area.

The community of Prescot was shocked by the death of 29-year-old Adam Ellison who was stabbed in the neck in November 2017, with his killers yet to be brought to justice.

The wands will be used by the policing team in Knowsley, particularly during licensing enforcement visits across the borough, as well as during day-to-day activities, when carrying out stop checks and as part of school engagement visits.

This latest initiative is part of the council’s ongoing work to support the knife crime campaign, which includes raising awareness of the issues as well as reducing the number of knife crime incidents.

Cllr Shelley Powell, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “We know that knife crime has a devastating effect on families and wider communities so we are ensuring that the council and its partners have the right equipment to tackle issues across the borough.

"Knife wands are a good example of deterring knife crime by identifying those who are carrying one and ensuring it is confiscated so that it can’t be used.”

Local Policing Targeted Inspector Andy Cunningham added “Knife crime is often perceived as a young person’s crime, but we have recently arrested people in their 40s and 50s for carrying a knife. Our advice is don’t put yourself in that position - the consequences for carrying a knife are unthinkable.”

The council and police issued the following list for information and advice:

• If you get caught with a knife, you could face a prison sentence of up to five years – that’s just for carrying a knife.

• If you hurt someone with a knife, your sentence will be much longer.

• If you do get caught and sent to prison, the impact isn’t just on you, but also your family and friends. Have you thought about how they would cope without you being around?

• If you get convicted, you’ll have a criminal record and if you are sentenced for more than 30 months, this stays on your record for life.

• You may find it difficult to get a job and criminal records for violence make it harder to get into college or university.

• Plus, travel may be restricted as many countries don’t allow people into their country is they have a criminal record – even if you’re just going on holiday.

• It is an offence to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18 and buying a knife for someone under 18 is an offence.

Anyone with any information about knife crime or if you know someone who is carrying a knife please contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or report it online.