A Milton Keynes MP has met with the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner today (24/2).
Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North, has thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber and Inspector Brace from TVP Milton Keynes for meeting with him this morning.
The Milton Keynes MP took Matthew Barber and Inspector Brace for a walk around Oldbrook whilst discussing knife crime in Milton Keynes.
It comes as a 16-year-old boy was murdered earlier this month. An An 18 year old was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place in Milton Keynes.
Following this, section 60 measures were put in place over parts of Milton Keynes and extended several times, enhancing police stop and search powers. Since coming to an end, police have said additional officers will be patrolling Milton Keynes. Despite no section 60 order in place, they will still be stopping and searching anybody that they suspect to be carrying weapons or drugs.
MKFM reached out to Matthew Barber to find out more about this mornings meeting.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “This morning I met with Milton Keynes North MP and local neighbourhood inspector Lee Brace to discuss the understand concerns in the community, following the shocking murder earlier this month and to talk about the police response.
“The immediate response has of course seen arrests made and an increased visible presence within communities. Section 60 measures have been imposed to increase stop and search powers to tackle those who carry weapons. This is in addition to the ongoing work to target individuals known to the police and to focus on hotspots as well as working in school and with young people to address some of the root causes of knife crime.
“This morning’s meeting was also an opportunity to discuss what more can be done, in conjunction with the government, to drive down knife crime. As well as updating on police officer recruitment, that will see 4,615 police officers in Thames Valley by the end of March, we discussed how the Home Office can support recruitment into the future. We also discussed work with the CPS and the courts to ensure those who carry knives are held to account by the criminal justice system.”
Yesterday morning I met with @Ben_Everitt & Inspector Brace from @TVP_MK in Oldbrook to discuss police recruitment & knife crime in Milton Keynes. We talked about how @ThamesVP are already working with @mkcouncil @MKHospital & others through the @TV_VRU & ideas for the future. pic.twitter.com/LfVNeyWiMx
— Matthew Barber (@matthew_barber) February 26, 2022
Ben Everitt said: "I was horrified by the recent murder in Milton Keynes and am determined to ensure we are doing everything we can to crack down on knife crime and ensure everybody in Milton Keynes can feel safe on our streets.
"I want to thank Matthew and Inspector Brace for joining me for a productive discussion on local knife crime and we will continue to work together closely in the future."
Thanks to @Matthew_Barber and Inspector Brace from @TVP_MK for meeting me this morning for a walkabout in Oldbrook to discuss knife crime in Milton Keynes
— Ben Everitt (@Ben_Everitt) February 25, 2022
Just as we were talking about increased police patrols we spotted @TVP_horses on a patrol through Oldbrook & into Leadenhall pic.twitter.com/IoRNqXWnle
