A POLITICIAN has raised concerns over knife crime in the area and called for action.

Janet Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, has urged for clarity from the Welsh Government as to what discussions it has undertaken with the UK Government to confront worries over knife crime.

Her intervention follows an incident in which a man was ‘slashed’ in a razor attack at Club 147 at Llandudno.

In a separate incident, a man was arrested in September after being caught in possession of a machete following an altercation in Llandudno Junction.

The incident occurred on Conwy Road and involved an altercation between two men, after which a machete was seized by police.

Ms Saunders has written to the counsel general to confirm what conversations he has undertaken with law officers in the UK Government to ensure that police forces across Wales have the necessary powers and funding to confront knife crime.

Ms Finch-Saunders said: “North Wales remains one of the safest parts of the UK, but unfortunately knife crime incidents do occur in the area. The impact of this crime can be deeply felt, with many victims left dealing with the emotional consequences of threats or attacks for years after an incident takes place.

“Given recent intelligence in the region has supported the authorisation of a Section 60 search area, and on receipt of concerns by local constituents, I have urged the Counsel General to undertake discussions with law officers in the UK Government to ensure our local policing campaigns have the powers and funding support required.

“But while policing can help to enforce the law and keep people safe, senior officers have always made clear it is the community working together which will make the difference. Conversations with friends and families around knife crime and its impacts can help institute change.”

North Wales Police recorded 277 offences involving a knife in 2019-20, Office for National Statistics data shows more than double the 101 reported in 2012-13 when comparable records began. The Welsh Government were approached to comment.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Ensuring people in Wales feel safe from crime, violence and anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the Welsh Government. Whilst tackling and reducing crime and violence is not directly a devolved matter, many of the drivers that impact community safety are devolved. We are determined to do everything in our power to make the people safe, working closely with our police and local government partners, providing funding and other support.

“We have a strong relationship with our Welsh police forces and meet regularly with the lead Police and Crime Commissioner. One of our Programme for Government commitments is increase the number of Police and Community Support Officers from the current 500 to 600.

"We have provided extra funding and police forces are currently recruiting the additional officers and hope to have them deployed by the end of the current financial year.”

Anyone worried about someone carrying a knife, or wants to talk to someone about knife crime or ask to advice, is asked to call 101.

Call 999 in an emergency.