A decrease in knife-related crimes and fatal stabbings has been praised as positive progress by Labour’s policing minister, Sarah Jones. However, Jones emphasized the ongoing need for further actions despite a 5% annual decline in such incidents. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated an 8% reduction in robberies involving knives in England and Wales.
The figures showed a total of 51,527 knife offenses in the 12-month period ending in June, down from 54,215 in the previous year. The Labour Party has committed to halving these crimes within ten years. Violent crimes decreased by 2% compared to the previous year, and homicides reached their lowest level since 2014 with a 6% decline to 518 cases.
According to the ONS data, fatal stabbings decreased by 18%. Jones stressed the devastating impact of knife crime on lives and communities, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to address the issue.
Jones mentioned the government’s plans to implement additional measures to combat knife crime, including initiatives to identify at-risk youth and enhance neighborhood policing with 13,000 additional officers by 2029. She also mentioned Labour’s ban on certain types of knives and the nationwide crackdown on knife-related offenses in town centers over the summer.
In addition, Jones explained that new multi-agency partnerships are being piloted to proactively identify and support vulnerable teenagers. She reiterated the ongoing commitment to reducing knife crime and ensuring safer streets for all.
Recent provisional data from NHS hospitals showed a 10% reduction in admissions for assault involving sharp objects, with a total of 3,460 admissions, marking a significant 27% decrease compared to the previous year ending in March 2020.
