Police officer who started project to tackle knife crime in Milton Keynes beats fundraising target after completing city’s marathon
A police officer who started a project to tackle knife crime across Milton Keynes has beaten his fundraising target after completing this year’s Milton Keynes Marathon in aid of a youth charity.
PC Kevin Simmons, who is Milton Keynes’ Safer Schools Officer, was instrumental in launching Operation Detect in 2024, which tackles knife crime through prevention and education.
PC Simmons ran his first marathon earlier this month at the Milton Keynes Marathon in aid of Action4Youth, completing the course in four hours and 11 minutes and raising £561 for the charity.
Based in Aylesbury, Action4Youth aims to help young people across the county transform their lives for the better.
PC Simmons told the Citizen the marathon was an ‘amazing experience’ adding: “The crowds were brilliant, and hearing people shout my name gave me a huge lift - especially in the final 10 kilometres, which were the hardest I’ve ever run.
“By then my legs were stiff, I was tired, and I was really having to dig deep, but the atmosphere around the course kept me going right to the end.
“I’m thrilled to have beaten my fundraising target for Action4Youth, and I can’t thank everyone enough for donating and supporting me along the way.
“Knowing the money is going to such a worthwhile cause made every tough mile worth it.”
PC Simmons started taking up running a couple of years ago, after being encouraged by his wife to join her and some friends for park runs.
“What started as a fun Saturday morning meet‑up quickly became something I looked forward to,” he reflected.
“We pushed each other to improve, chased better times, and gradually built up to longer distances. It turned into a great mix of fitness, motivation, and social time.
“Training {for the marathon} has been tough, especially getting the long runs done through the cold, dark, winter months.
“Crossing the line in the marathon in four hours and 11 minutes felt like a huge achievement.”
Since its launch, Operation Detect has engaged 13,750 students across 12 locations throughout Milton Keynes, either through a screening arch, which students pass through, or educational resources.
Several additional deployments of Operation Detect are planned during the remainder of the school year.
Speaking about the initiative PC Simmons said: "During the 2024 Knife Crime Awareness Week, I was asked to develop my department’s contribution to the national campaign.
“I wanted to create something that would not only deter young people from carrying knives but also open conversations around education and prevention.
“There were understandable concerns that using a screening arch in a school might give the impression that a particular school had a problem.
“To avoid that misconception, I designed Operation Detect as a long‑term, local initiative that would be delivered across all secondary schools in Milton Keynes.
“This ensured the focus remained on prevention, consistency, and community reassurance rather than singling out any one school.
“The feedback has been extremely positive. Students have told us they feel safer knowing we’re there, and several have even thanked us for being present.
“Staff have also welcomed the operation, recognising it as a proactive and sensible response to a national issue.
“The support from the school communities has reinforced that this approach is both valued and impactful.”