Serious violence reduction orders were introduced to tackle “high risk, habitual weapons carriers”
Serious violence reduction orders were introduced to tackle “high risk, habitual weapons carriers”
17:10, 15 Apr 2025Updated 06:45, 16 Apr 2025
A stop and search pilot scheme which targeted weapon-carrying criminals will be rolled out across the country. Serious violence reduction orders (SVROs) were introduced across four force areas, including on Merseyside, in April 2023 with the aim of tackling “high risk, habitual weapons carriers” and helping drive down re-offending in the community.
The pilot, which was also rolled out in Thames Valley, the West Midlands and Sussex, granted civil orders when an adult was convicted of an offence involving a bladed article or offensive weapon. The change in legislation meant officers could stop and search those with a live order for weapons.
In the last two years, Merseyside Police, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), has secured more than 270 SVROs against offenders who pose a significant risk to the public. In June 2023, Merseyside was the first force to secure one of the orders.
Additionally, 118 people who were issued a SVRO in Merseyside were given custodial sentences for knife crime offences totalling more than 168 years in prison. Over the past year, knife crime across the region has decreased by 6.5% and violent crime has reduced by more than 32% in the areas identified as hotspots for antisocial behaviour and serious violence across Merseyside.
The force said officers have conducted hundreds of stop and searches on SVRO suspects resulting in the seizure of several offensive weapons including a push dagger, Stanley knife blade and imitation firearm.
Merseyside Police superintendent Phil Mullally, who leads the force’s response tackling serious violence and knife crime, said: “In the last two years, we have used SVROs to target those who think it’s acceptable to carry and use a knife or other offensive weapon in Merseyside.
“By working with the courts, 268 people in Merseyside have received an order, granting us enhanced stop and search powers when they are in public. Through these searches, officers have found dangerous and intimidating weapons which have led to arrests and further charges.
“By taking part in this pilot, we’ve been able to closely monitor those who have been convicted of an offence involving a bladed article or offensive weapon. The majority of those who were handed an order were found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon or committing violence against another person, such as a serious assault.
“We’ve also seen evidence of offenders with a SVRO changing their behaviour, becoming less likely to carry a weapon in a public place, due to the increased risk of being caught. Despite this pilot ending, we are still fully committed to tackling knife crime.
“Our work, together with partner agencies, is ongoing daily, visibly through proactive patrols and operations and behind the scenes through intelligence gathering and investigations.”
Merseyside Police said the purpose of taking part in the pilot was to build an understanding of the orders’ impact and effectiveness, ahead of any wider introduction across England and Wales. The two-year pilot ends on Friday, April 18, meaning no new orders can be made to the courts. However, live orders will be phased out over 6 months, ending on Friday, October 17 this year.
CPS district crown prosecutor Olivia Murray added: “This pilot was aimed at preventing offenders from perpetuating a cycle of repeating and escalating their crimes. It has highlighted the good working relationships between the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and our other partners in the criminal justice system and we would like to thank them for their help with this.
“The independent evaluators of the pilot are taking stock of the data and, if it demonstrates that SVROs have helped bring knife crime down, the Home Office will start the process of seeking approval to roll out this project out nationally.
“CPS Mersey-Cheshire is proud to have been the first area to have successfully applied for these orders to be imposed by the courts. Knife crime is a blight on our society and all measures that can help reduce it are to be welcomed.”
