Warning to knife carriers

Jan 24 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

POLICE in Dewsbury are to clamp down on people with knives and other weapons.

The new sergeant in charge of the town’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has promised to use stop and search powers to catch them.

Sgt Janet Clemmett also says anti-social behaviour is one of people’s main concerns and she is determined to make it a top priority.

She said: “The team will use stop and search powers, not only for drink, but also for weapons such as knives.

“This way we can work to eradicate related crime from the streets of Dewsbury and district.

“Anyone found with items of this nature will be arrested and brought to justice through the courts.”

Seventeen-year-old Ahmed Hassan, of Batley, died after he was stabbed near the entrance to Dewsbury railway station at 2pm on December 15.

Michael Brook, 18, of St Matthew Road, Westtown, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged with murder and are expected to go on trial in June.

Sgt Clemmett added: “I will be looking to develop our intelligence in combating anti-social behaviour.

“By working with the communities and Kirklees we can forge a better quality of life for residents.

“I also intend to tackle under-age drinking.’’

Drugs remain another major concern.

She said: “With my specialist trained officers we will work to combat drug-related crime by searching premises suspected of being used for such activity. By developing intelligence we will be able to detect those involved in drugs.’’

Sgt Clemmett has been in the police for 12 years and a sergeant for nearly three.