KNIFE crime in Dorset has increased by more than 70 per cent in the last five years.

Latest figures reveal there were 247 knife crimes in the county last year compared with 143 in 2013.

The number leapt from 214 in 2017 to 247 in 2018.

But a senior police officer has stressed the figures are relatively low compared with other parts of the country and that stabbings went down last year.

Superintendent Jared Parkin said the Home Office definition of knife crime is “any crime committed when someone is in possession of a bladed instrument.”

This can include axes, broken bottles, machetes, sharply-pointed pens and razor blades.

He said almost half of the so-called knife crimes committed last year took place in private places.

Supt Parkin, the Dorset Police lead on knife crime, said a recent spate of violent knife crime in London has raised awareness of the issue.

And he said he believes fear of knife crime in Dorset, particularly among young people, is high.

“Everybody is concerned about what is going on in London” he said. “I don’t see an increase in the carriage of knives in Dorset that can justify the level of concern that is out there.”

He added: “I just want to calm people down and put it into context. The level of knife crime is proportionate to the type of county that we are.”

Supt Parkin said a recent increase in drugs networks operating in Dorset could be linked to the increase.

And he said more people are coming forward to report knife crime than in previous years.

This week sees a knife amnesty across the county.

The crime prevention initiative, running until Sunday March 17, means members of the public can dispose of unwanted knives and bladed items in secure bins at Bournemouth, Poole, Blandford and Weymouth police stations.

Officers say knives of any description can be disposed of including illegal lock knives, ‘zombie’ knives, samurai swords, kitchen knives, unwanted collectables, replicas and ceremonial items.

Dorset Police are supporting the amnesty as part of the ongoing national Operation Sceptre, which is aimed at combating knife crime following a surge in fatal attacks in UK towns and cites.

Supt Parkin added: “Any knife taken out of circulation and off the street helps to prevent injuries and deaths. Carrying a knife is illegal and incredibly dangerous.” The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine.