EPPING: Gang violence fear prompts police crackdown

9:26am Tuesday 8th July 2008

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POLICE descended on the streets of Epping in response to fears that armed gang violence was about to erupt at the weekend.

Officers were deployed in the town centre on Friday following reports of 'planned disruption' and a knife was found dumped near a checkpoint.

A metal detector arch was set up at Epping Station and Club 195.

The identification markings had been scratched off the illegal three-inch lock blade, which was discovered near a checkpoint on Saturday.

Epping Forest District Commander Jonathan Baldwin told the Guardian: "This is certainly a nasty knife, and one which could kill people so we want everyone to know we are actively seeking people carrying knives, and that we will not tolerate it in our district."

He said the public had done a fantastic job in assisting officers, and that the incident proved what great results can be achieved when the community supports the police.

He said that about 60 youths, many thought to be from the Loughton area, had gathered on Epping High Street, but that it was not something to be unduly concerned about.

He said the nice weather was the likely reason for the impromptu gathering, and that rumours of "planned disruption" were most likely due to "Chinese whispers".

Epping Forest District Council safer communities officer Paul Gardener said the discovery of the knife was a concern.

He said: "Anyone carrying a weapon in public causes a big concern because it could result in a terrible tragedy.

"But we have to keep things in perspective, and we want to address the fear of knife crime, as well as the crime itself.

"But it is a worry to find a weapon like this on our streets, and it is something we take very seriously."

Caroline Wiggins, council's safer communities manager, said local police have two metal-detecting archways at their disposal and will be using them at stations and other locations to discourage people from carrying weapons.

"It's one of many initiatives we have had a lot of success with, and there are more to come," she said.