THE FIGHT against knife crime has been given a new boost thanks to a partnership set up between Merseyside Police and five local authorities.

Representatives from Wirral, Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens' local authorities have been tasked with a different focus ranging from information gathering to exploring how to reduce injuries caused by knives as part of the Merseyside Knife Crime Strategy.

Superintendent Louise Harrison said: "We know that knife related incidents are something that concern our communities but we also know that this is not something we can tackle alone and that means working closely with our partners in the local authorities and other agencies such as the prisons service and youth offending service.

“The idea is that we all put our heads together and share our knowledge and experience to come up with a workable solution to the problem and how best to implement it on Merseyside.

"In the past different local authorities and partner groups, including ourselves, have launched campaigns, initiatives and programmes to tackle the issue independently.

"This is about bringing all that expertise and wealth of experience together in one place."

It is hoped by sharing information, raising awareness and improving communication that knife crime across Merseyside can be tackled more effectively.

Wirral Council cabinet member for Law and Order Cllr Paul Stuart said: "Knife crime is another issue which Wirral Council is proud to join forces with the police and other crime reduction partners across Merseyside in tackling.

"Whether it is enforcing the law, communicating with the public, or protecting and educating our young people, the advantages of coordinating our efforts and expertise are clear.

"In supporting this initiative, we are talking to colleagues across academia, health, enforcement and education to help us understand the root causes of knife crime and work towards preventing it.

"One of the ways we have done this is by bringing in the 'street doctors' to go out and speak to many young people across Wirral about the dangers of carrying knives.

"The feedback from this programme has been excellent and we are planning further activity with them over the next few months."