In a groundbreaking move, an 18-year-old Brighton resident has become the first person in Sussex to be granted a Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO) after being convicted of possessing a knife.
Raphael Arabi, hailing from Queensway, now faces increased scrutiny as officers are empowered to conduct public searches to ensure he is not carrying an offensive weapon. This SVRO, which spans two years, marks a significant development in efforts to combat knife crime.
Arabi, who pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article, received a fine and a community order, coupled with rehabilitation requirements during his appearance at Brighton Magistrates Court on September 20.
Sussex Police is one of just four forces—alongside Merseyside, Thames Valley, and West Midlands—participating in a pilot program for SVROs over the next two years. These orders are aimed at individuals convicted of offenses involving bladed items or offensive weapons.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Yates, Sussex Police’s lead for knife crime and serious violence, explained, “We welcome this additional measure and are applying for 31 more Serious Violence Reduction Orders in the months ahead.” Under this order, if Arabi is discovered carrying a weapon, he could face fines, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The pilot initiative aims to assess the impact of SVROs in safeguarding Sussex communities and taking a proactive approach to deal with repeat offenders. Yates emphasized the force’s dedication to public safety and preventing criminals from perpetuating cycles of violence.
Each SVRO is added to the original sentence for the underlying crime, with a minimum duration of six months but not exceeding two years. If the defendant is incarcerated, the order becomes active upon their release.
The success of this pilot program will undergo independent evaluation to gauge its impact on reoffending and serious violent crime. Based on the results, a decision will be made regarding the nationwide implementation of these orders.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Here in Sussex, I welcome the opportunity for SVROs to drive down knife crime and catch criminals. This proactive approach adds to the ongoing range of activity already undertaken by Sussex Police, including early intervention and education for those who are most vulnerable to exploitation by criminal gangs.
“Removing weapons means saving lives and these additional stop and search powers are another way of helping to keep us all safer. With the first order being issued and more on the way, I will be monitoring the effectiveness of this pilot and receiving regular progress updates from our chief constable.”
Op Safety, the force’s response to knife crime and serious violence, operates 365 days a year across Sussex, with us working with our partners to engage, educate, enforce and rehabilitate those who carry knives.
