Does a fatal stabbing mean Chelmsford has a knife problem?

Yesterday, a young man was killed in an apparent knife attack in one of Chelmsford's most popular, and middle-class, parks. Details as of yet are sketchy, at best, although two young men have been arrested in connection with the death.

Today, Chelmsford was noticeably glum. Amongst the many children enjoying an early finish to their school term, there were many youngsters carrying flowers towards the park, situated at the top of one of Chelmsford's main shopping streets. Today it was easy to overhear conversations, not about Christmas shopping, but of shock that 'something like this' would happen in a town like Chelmsford.

We're lucky to live outside of areas known for violent crime. However, the extremely short distance to those areas, namely East London, was perhaps on the minds of residents today. No, this is not an event that often occurs here, but neither is it impossible.

It's important at this juncture to recognise that this is not the first time knife crime has occurred in the newest City in Essex, and long time County Town. In fact, just two days earlier an 18-year-old was stabbed in both legs, only a few miles from this attack. The two incidents are not reported to be linked.

Knife crime is nothing new. It's been a growing issue in Britain's cities for the last decade or more. 

And that is clearly a massive problem. The links it has with drugs and gang violence are equally worrisome, and although there is no word on whether this case is linked to either of those overarching factors, the thought of such is no doubt lingering in some residents minds.

However, in Chelmsford, we remain fortunate. Although it knife crime is seen as a "significant concern" by the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, and an ongoing target of Police resources, , it is still a much smaller concern in this country, in comparison to our neighbours in the Greater London area.

This May, Essex Police revealed that a knife or blade was used in 1127 offences in the 12 months previous. That sounds like a lot. But when compared to 14,169 across London Boroughs in the year 2011-12, the reality of a small (but of course still dangerous) area of criminality is seen.

Residents of Chelmsford should clearly be worried by the news of this type in our community. But we should also be shocked. We should recognise that we live in what is generally considered a safe area, and this type of incident is not commonplace.

Yes, there is a problem with knives in Chelmsford, but that is simply due to the wider problem with knives in the UK.

Yes, we are shocked. But let's also be thankful for the work of local authorities, and that we are not used to this type of crime.