THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon has welcomed news that more funding will be given to police to tackle knife crime.

It comes after the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, during his Spring Statement last week (March 13), announced an additional £100 million in funding to policing for 2019/20 to deal with the issue.

Following the news, Angus Macpherson said: "I am pleased to see concerns of the public and police have been listened to by the government.

"Wiltshire is a safe county, but to keep it that way we must understand the influences of knife crime nationally, and all work together to take action, raise awareness and educate our communities.

"I see officers every day carrying out their business as usual: stop and searches, making arrests and, equally as important, preventative work in schools and colleges.

He added: "This money is welcome – but I will continue to press the government to review the division of monies nationally so Wiltshire can maintain the level of safety we all enjoy.”