Nearly 60,000 knives have been confiscated from public spaces since last July, according to the most recent data available. Advocates have hailed this as a significant accomplishment, emphasizing that it puts the government on course to achieve its objective of reducing knife-related crime by 50% in a decade.
The Home Office’s data unveils that 7,512 knives and weapons were voluntarily surrendered during a summer surrender initiative. Additionally, 47,795 zombie-style knives and machetes were turned in last year. Border Force intercepted 3,334 knives, while 618 blades were recovered through operations related to the County Lines Programme.
Sandra Campbell, leader of the campaign group Word 4 Weapons, expressed that each weapon relinquished represents a potential tragedy averted in local communities. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood affirmed the government’s commitment to combating knife crime, stating that the administration is resolute in its pursuit to eradicate this menace from the streets.
The efforts to curb knife crime have shown promise, with a 5% decrease in knife-related offenses recorded in the past year. There were 51,527 knife-related crimes reported in the 12 months leading up to June, down from 54,215 in the preceding year. Moreover, there was an 18% decline in knife-related homicides during the same period.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, established in memory of 16-year-old Ben tragically killed in a stabbing incident in 2008, welcomed the recent statistics. He highlighted the significance of removing large and dangerous weapons, particularly ninja swords, as a pivotal step toward enhancing street safety and safeguarding young lives from senseless violence.
Faron Paul, an advocate who initiated FazAmnesty – an organization managing knife bins and providing essential mentoring to combat knife crime – praised the collaborative efforts that led to the removal of thousands of weapons from circulation. He expressed confidence in the collective ability to reduce knife-related incidents by 50% in the next decade.
A ban on ninja swords, dubbed Ronan’s Law in memory of Ronan Kanda, a 16-year-old victim of a tragic incident, was enforced on August 1. Prior to its implementation, surrender bins and a mobile ban were established in various locations in London, Manchester, and the West Midlands.
Pooja, Ronan’s mother, acknowledged the tangible progress being made in enhancing safety for young individuals. She appreciated the government’s proactive measures and commitment to effecting real change in memory of her son and for the welfare of all youths.
The Crime and Policing Bill, currently undergoing parliamentary procedures, includes provisions to reinforce age verification protocols for online knife sales and deliveries. Furthermore, stringent penalties will be imposed on tech executives responsible for hosting illegal knife-related content online.
