Knife carrying incident in Warminster raises concern

Concerns have been raised after young people were caught carrying knives in Warminster just days before a 16-year-old was fatally stabbed in Chippenham.

Inspector Lou Oakley gave an update at the Warminster Area Board meeting on Thursday 12th February. She said young people in Warminster had been caught carrying knives three days before Shayne Hambakachere was fatally stabbed in Chippenham on 31st January. The incidents are not linked.

“So, for Warminster, knife crime and knife crime incidents are non-existent or very, very low. Until about two weeks ago, we had a group of youths carrying knives, and then three days later there was the murder in Chippenham,” said Inspector Oakley.

“They’re not linked at all, but unfortunately I had an incident that concerned me greatly. I kept asking myself, ‘Why have I got youths that are carrying knives?’ and then three days later there was the incident in Chippenham. That really, really, really concerns me.

“We need to educate them because these 11- and 12-year-olds in Warminster don’t really understand the consequences of what’s going on.”

The police identified and stopped the youths on the night. The Wiltshire Police early intervention team will work with the individuals to prevent further incidents and will also visit local schools to educate young people on knife carrying.

Pictured: Inspector Lou Oakley