Thurrock: Supporting the countywide knife amnesty

In Thurrock, alongside our countywide knife amnesty, uniformed and plain-clothes officers have been patrolling town centres, conducting stop searches if they suspect people are carrying knives and other weapons.

They’ve also put up a knife arch at Chafford Hundred Lakeside rail station every day – and will be there until Sunday – to help keep shoppers and local residents safe.

“Our knife amnesty means anyone who has a bladed weapon they want to dispose of can do so safely in one of our knife bins. We want to get as many knives as possible off our streets.
“If you carry a knife you are more likely to have it used against you.
“My officers are always on the alert for people who carry knives and other weapons but this week, in support of the amnesty, we wanted to highlight our work in this area.”
Thurrock District Commander Chief Inspector Terry Fisher

Thurrock Volunteer Police Cadets also carried out test purchases on Tuesday evening at Lakeside’s shopping centre and retail park in every shop selling knives and other sharp implements.

Thankfully, all of the Cadets, aged between 13 and 16, were challenged and none were able to buy any sort of weapon. Afterwards, a police officer went into each shop and thanked staff for their vigilance.

Police Community Support Officer JoJo Mitchell is also a volunteer cadet leader and she organised the cadets to visit the shops.

“It’s very important to reassure the public that shop staff are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to selling dangerous items. So involving our younger cadets in test purchasing helps us to keep our communities safe.
“And we had only praise to pass back to the Thurrock Council licensing team, which is very reassuring.”
PCSO JoJo Mitchell

Director Howard Oldstein says the close working partnership with Essex Police is key to Lakeside Shopping Centre’s security strategy.

“We take the safety of our visitors and all those who work at Lakeside very seriously.
“We would like to thank the police cadets and Thurrock Community Policing Team who recently helped test the restrictions on knife sales to minors within the centre.
“We are pleased to report that all attempts to break these restrictions failed, proving the robustness of the measures we have in place.”
Lakeside Shopping Centre director Howard Oldstein

If you see officers from our town centre and community policing teams, Operational Support Group and Op Raptor team, do stop and ask them about their work or simply say hello.

Between Sunday 15 and Sunday 22 May they are in Grays, Aveley, Corringham, Purfleet, South Ockendon, Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury and West Thurrock at various times.

Our knife amnesty also runs until Sunday  22 May and if you have knives to hand in, you can do so at special knife bins placed at 14 sites across the county.

In Thurrock, these are situated

• opposite Chalvedon Social Club, Chalvedon Square, Pitsea SS13 3QX
• at Grays Police Station, Brook Road, Grays RM17 5BX

The two bins are adorned with artwork created by 12-year-old Rachida, from the Hathaway Academy, who won a competition which helped to highlight to young people the danger of carrying knives.