Knife seizure shocks police

8:15am Tuesday 15th July 2008

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Police have described a knife which was being carried by a teenager as he walked along an Oxford street as one of the "most horrendous" they had ever seen.

The skull-encrusted knife - with two 5in blades - was found when officers stopped and searched a 17-year-old youth in Blackbird Leys.

Police yesterday said they would charge anyone found in possession of a knife.

It came as the country mourns the deaths of 12 young people in stabbings in just seven days, with the Government promising tougher action on blade-wielding thugs.

Det Sgt Paul Kingsley, of Oxford CID, described the knife, as a Klingon fighting weapon - used in the Star Trek films - which can only be bought on the Internet.

He said: "It was the most horrendous knife we have ever seen. In the 22 years I have been in the force, I have never seen something like this.

"We wouldn't like to suggest the majority of youths are carrying knives, because they're not.

"But the odd one or two do, and if they're caught, they will be made to explain why in court.

"This knife is particularly nasty. When you look at it, you realise there's no lawful reason for anyone to be in possession of it.

"We will be charging people caught in possession of knives like this. There's no excuse I can think of for going on the streets with this kind of knife."

The weapon unfolds to reveal two blades.

It was seized from the teenager on Wednesday, July 2, in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, at 9.20am.

He was charged with possession of a blade article and handed a six month youth offender referral at Oxford Youth Court last Wednesday.

It means the youngster is put in the care of the county council's youth offending service and given a programme of good behaviour to follow.

Only 11 of the 22 people found carrying a knife in Oxford during April and May were charged. The rest were given a caution or released without charge.

Reported knife crime in Oxfordshire fell from 125 incidents in 2006-7 to 105 in 2007-8.

In the past 12 months, knives have been used in the killing of ex-soldier Stephen Pinker, 42, in Cowley, and attacks on Roy Sinclair, 49, in Blackbird Leys, and Simon Pratley, 27, in Greater Leys.

Between Monday, July 7, and Sunday, July 13, 12 people across England were stabbed to death.

The Government is proposing new legislation aimed at tackling the number of youths on the streets carrying blades.

Tiger Lily, in New Road, Oxford, sells knives and swords and has a strict over-18 sales policy.

Its owner said: "Sometimes we get children under 18 trying it on - but we always say no."