Knife crime in Cheshire is down 12% on the previous year with 508 serious offences recorded in 2025, the deputy police commissioner has said.

Gemma Southern was responding to a question from the cross-party police and crime panel, which scrutinises the work of the commissioner's office.

The panel also wanted to know what current actions the commissioner is supporting to address knife crime, particularly among young people.

The deputy commissioner told Friday's (June 5) meeting of the panel: "Cheshire has the 11th lowest rate of knife crime per 100,000 population in the country."

She said the week-long national campaign which ran last month, aiming to reduce the impact of knife crime in Cheshire, saw more than 250 knives and bladed articles recovered from across the county.

"This year's campaign saw a particular focus on children and young people," said Mrs Southern.

"Officers and community partners visited 38 schools and youth organisations across Cheshire, delivering educational inputs and demonstrations surrounding the dangers of knife crime and gang culture."

She referred to programmes tackling knife crime across the county which had been funded by the commissioner's office.

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One is 'Fighting for Change' which is being run in conjunction with Active Cheshire in Cheshire West and Chester.

This is delivered in schools, youth centres and sports venues and explores key topics such as first aid, media influence, gang culture, peer pressure and the impact of knife crime.

'Blades Down' in Ellesmere Port, is a project which delivers educational sessions on knife crime, youth violence and anti-social behaviour, combined with boxing and fitness to help young people channel their energy positively.

And funding goes to the YMCA in Crewe which provides a weekly youth group discussing topics such as knife crime, bullying and mental health.

Panel chair, Cllr Judy Snowball (CEC, Lab) said: "It is extremely welcome to see the reduction.

"It is extremely welcome to see that there is such an ongoing campaign in so many different areas to try to address this and I like the idea of the regularity, that at the YMCA in Crewe there is a weekly youth group to discuss this."