Attempts to crack down on a spate of bladed weapon attacks are being held back because too many witnesses refuse to come forward, Police Commissioner George Jackson said today.

Offenders are able to walk away unchallenged because onlookers fail to report incidents to the Police, Mr. Jackson told a press conference.

He pointed to a link between recent knife attacks and drugs, and issued a call for the community to help officers get on top of the problem.

“Bladed articles are still a worrying concern, as I see a resurgence in the use of bladed articles and unprovoked attacks on unsuspecting victims resulting in serious injury,” said Mr. Jackson.

“This is often complicated by witnesses who refuse to come forward, which allows the perpetrators to walk away unchallenged and not be held accountable for their actions.

“I believe that at the heart of many of these attacks are the use, sale and distribution of drugs. People can no longer stand idly by having knowledge of or witnessing criminal behaviour and failing to assist the Police.”

An 18-year-old Warwick man was taken to hospital with lacerations to his left hand and right arm after he was attacked outside the Liberty Theatre on Union Square shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

On Sunday afternoon, two teenage robbers stole pizza and cash after threatening a Four Star delivery man with knives in Tommy Fox Road, St. George's.

* For full story see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.