KNIFE crime remains a pressing concern across the UK, but in Sussex, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne insists the situation is being tackled head-on, with the county still one of the safest places to live.
Speaking exclusively to Bexhill News, I sat down with Katy at her office in Lewes to talk about the current challenges, the steps being taken to protect young people and the collaborative work that aims to reduce harm in Sussex communities.
She emphasised from the outset: “One weapon on our streets is one too many. We will always act to keep Sussex safe and while our knife crime rate remains well below the national average, we are not complacent.”
I put to Katy that Knife crime is a growing concern across many parts of the UK, including Sussex and wanted to know how Sussex stood up to other counties.
She told me that in the year ending December 2024, Sussex recorded 1,113 knife or sharp instrument offences – an increase of less than 1% compared to the previous year. Nationally, knife crime rose by 2.2%, putting Sussex well below the national trend.
Sussex’s knife crime rate now stands at 64.1 offences per 100,000 people, which is significantly lower than the England and Wales average of 89.7.
“Those numbers matter,” said Katy. But it’s not just about statistics, it’s about the real lives behind each one. That’s why we invest in both enforcement and education.”
On the back of these worrying figures across the UK, I asked Katy what actions Sussex Police are currently taking to tackle knife crime on the streets.
She replied: “Sussex Police supports a number of operations designed to combat knife crime, including the national Operation Sceptre and its local counterpart, Operation Safety. These initiatives involve proactive patrols, knife sweeps, test purchasing operations and the use of amnesty bins.
We work closely with Border Force to intercept illegal knife imports and act on that intelligence immediately. We don’t just remove the knives, we knock on doors and intervene before things escalate.”
Twice a year, Knife Crime Awareness Week sees a surge in visible activity including school visits, retailer checks and increased patrols in public spaces, according to the PCC.
Educating the next generation
One of the key messages from the Commissioner was the importance of reaching young people early. Around 31% of knife-related crime in Sussex in the past year involved a child as a suspect, offender or victim.
She told me: “We’re dispelling the myths that carrying a knife keeps you safe, or that it makes you tougher. It’s just not true. The risks are huge.
Neighbourhood Youth Officers work across the county delivering school assemblies, running engagement vans and installing knife arches, all aimed at educating rather than criminalising.”
She also praised grassroots initiatives like the Hailsham Boxing Club, which runs sessions that offer positive role models and a safe space for teenagers, and also highlighted the Charlie’s Promise campaign, which promotes awareness in schools following the tragic death of teenager Charlie Crosser in Horsham in 2023.
Breaking the cycle of reoffending
Almost one in three knife offenders nationally are repeat carriers, but in Sussex, the reoffending rate for weapons possession sits at 24.3%, below the national average of 27.5%.
Part of this success is down to innovative support programmes for families. The PCC’s office has funded a Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) course launching this autumn in Crawley and Worthing. Targeted at parents of children aged 10–16 who display violent or destructive behaviour, the course aims to build more nurturing, structured home environments.
Commenting on the course, Katy added: “If we can strengthen families, we reduce the risk of kids turning to knives.”, said Katy. “Prevention is always better than punishment.”
Supporting victims and hotspot Policing
To further bolster frontline efforts, Sussex has secured £1.4 million from the Home Office’s Hotspot Response Fund for 2025/26. This funding supports patrols in 18 knife crime hotspots, night safety marshals, and targeted work with businesses and communities.
“It means we can be in the right place at the right time, deterring violence and offering visible reassurance,” Katy added.
From our conversation, it’s clear there are many projects ongoing in the hope of cracking down on the trend. One thing is clear – it’s all about education, we must continually tell the next generation about the facts highlighted in this article and the risks associated with carrying a knife.
When asked what she would say directly to a young person tempted to carry a knife, her response was clear and unequivocal: “Lose the knife, not a life. Carrying a blade doesn’t protect you – it puts you in far more danger. If you choose to carry, you’ll find Sussex Police and our partners working hard to stop you.”
