THE fatal stabbings of two Halton men have prompted a conference forming part of an ongoing campaign to make Cheshire knife-crime free.

Taking place at Chester Cathedral next Thursday (November 21) from 10am to noon, the Tackling Weapons Conference aims to showcase Cheshire Constabulary's partnership approach to tackling habitual carrying of weapons and serious violence across the county.

There will be a range of speakers from the force and its partner agencies.

With a Knife Angel overlooking them, they will give details of ongoing work to make Cheshire a county where no-one wants to, or feels that they need to, carry a weapon.

Designed by Alfie Bradley, the 8.2-metre high statue, which weighs 3.5 tonnes, will be on display at Chester Cathedral until Thursday, November 28.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, will be among the speakers.

He said: "We've seen the devastating effects knife crime can have on our communities.

"The recent killings of 18-year-old Eddie O'Rourke in Runcorn and pub landlord Christian Thornton in Widnes are just two examples of why people shouldn't carry knives.

"The Tackling Weapons Conference will provide a great opportunity to bring together partners from across Cheshire who all have a desire to eradicate knife crime in our communities."

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in Cheshire decreased between June 2019 and June 2018.

This is in stark contrast to the seven per cent rise in such offences seen nationally over that period.

Cheshire Constabulary's Sarah Heath, the force's superintendent for tackling weapons and reducing serious harm, said: "With the national Knife Angel monument currently located at Cheshire Cathedral, what better place to hold our Tackling Weapons Conference?

"Made from more than 100,000 surrendered knives and weapons, with some carrying the names of victims of knife crime inscribed by their loved ones, the monument is a symbol of both loss and hope for the future.

"Although we have one of the lowest rates of knife crime in England, Cheshire is no stranger to the devastating consequences the criminal use of weapons can have for victims, offenders and their families and friends.

"Last September 18-year-old man Eddie O'Rourke died as a result of a knife being carried and used outside a Runcorn club.

"His killing, and the subsequent murder and manslaughter convictions of the two teenagers responsible, is the ultimate example of why people shouldn’t carry weapons.

"The police, local authorities, education providers, health authorities, third sector organisations, youth representatives and community members in Cheshire have formed a structured approach to collectively address the complex issues associated with knife crime and habitual weapon carrying.

"It involves us all working together to tackle the issues through education, awareness and action in a bid to make Cheshire an even safer place to live, work and visit.

"Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of the whole society.

"There needs to be a total intolerance for the carrying of weapons throughout our society, and I am pleased to say that the force and our partner agencies have had fantastic support from the people of Cheshire for our collaborative work in tackling knife crime.

"This has led to short-term success in reducing knife related incidents, but there are also longer-term strategies to empower communities and support young people through education and intervention.

"This approach, which will be discussed at the upcoming Tackling Weapons Conference, will now be developed further as we endeavour to make Cheshire a county where no-one feels a need to carry a knife."

Supt Heath said: "Whilst the national picture shows a worrying trend of knife crime continuing to rise, Cheshire is just one of seven forces nationally to have seen a decrease in the number of recorded knife and sharp instrument offences.

"We all have a responsibility to help young people fulfil their potential and not carry or use weapons.

"To achieve our goal of making Cheshire knife crime free we need the public’s continued help and support.”

To find out more about Cheshire’s partnership approach to tackling knife crime you can register to attend the Tackling Weapons Conference by visiting https://bit.ly/2q2NiHJ.

Registration closes at 1pm on Thursday 14 November.

To report any type of crime involving weapons call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be passed to the force online via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries.