Police and Crime Commissioner backs strengthened collaboration following knife crime summit in Swindon

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Philip Wilkinson, has endorsed a united approach between police, public bodies, charities and community groups following a high-profile summit on knife crime hosted by the Swindon based organisation, the Owen’s World Foundation.

The summit brought together frontline organisations, youth groups and public sector representatives such as Change Lives Say No To Knives, BEST — Be A Better You, Street Doctors and the South West Ambulance Service to share their experiences, insight and proven interventions. It was closed with a presentation from Martin Cosser, the co-founder and CEO of Charlie’s Promise, and father of 17 year-old Charlie Cosser, who was stabbed at a house party in West Sussex. Mr Cosser showed a video which documented Charlie’s life, including the days he spent in intensive care, the hours after his family made the decision to switch off his life support machine and the court case which followed. He spoke eloquently and emotionally about their campaign to raise awareness of knife crime and the immeasurable damage it causes to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, who has previously spoken publicly about the scale and human cost of knife crime, welcomed the summit as an opportunity to turn discussion into sustained, multi-agency action to prevent violence, support victims and highlighted the importance of long-term community-led responses that build trust and resilience:

““While Wiltshire’s recorded levels of knife crime remain comparatively low compared to the rest of the country, this summit shows how knife crime destroys families and communities.

“My priority is to work with our partners to prevent people from carrying blades through education, such as the successful Blunt Truth sessions my office is funding to be delivered in schools across the county, early intervention and community support.

“It’s through the work of organisations like Owen’s World which reminds us all of the tragic consequences of carrying a knife, but it’s a testament to Owen’s family and friends that they’ve used this experience to make positive changes in their community.”

Owen’s World was formed following the fatal stabbing of Owen Dunn in 2022. The group, which is made-up of Owen’s family and friends, have successfully installed knife surrender bins and bleed kits around Swindon, and talk to groups across the region about the impact and dangers of knife crime.

Jo Davis is one of the founders of Owen’s World:

“We’re finding that there is more awareness of knife crime among younger children when we speak to them.

“It’s important that we set this in the right context and make them aware of consequences and impact it can have.

“Sadly, the number of stories I heard at the summit from people across the country isn’t a surprise, but it doesn’t make it any easier to listen to them.

“We’re all working together towards the same cause and to know we’re ready to help each other is a very powerful feeling”

Mr Wilkinson thanked Owen’s World for bringing the organisations together and reaffirmed his commitment to reducing knife crime:

“The solution to knife crime has to be a community response and Wiltshire Police needs to be embedded in and trusted by their local communities.

“That’s why I endorse the Chief Constable Roper’s emphasis on community policing and ensuring that the neighbourhood teams are fully integrated in their patch.

“With frontline officers continuing to build the confidence and trust of our residents, it will inevitably lead to better intelligence for Wiltshire Police and our partners to target our resources.”

Published Saturday 27 September 2025