By ThePreview Team

 

The United Kingdom government has launched a new knife crime campaign warning criminals in two London hotspots and one in Birmingham of a major step-up in police enforcement, including smarter metal detection, rapid-response e-bikes, extra foot patrols and live facial recognition.

The campaign, tagged ‘No Place for Knives’, is being piloted in parts of Westminster, Croydon and Birmingham, with adverts appearing at tube stations, bus stops and on social media, as well as a mural at Boxpark Croydon.

Developed by the Home Office with police and local authorities, the campaign is targeted at those most at risk of committing knife crime, the Home Office said in a statement on Monday.

It said the London hotspots, along with 16 other boroughs in Greater London, have received over £8.1 million in funding through the Home Office’s Knife Crime Concentrations Fund to roll out targeted interventions to tackle knife crime.

“As well as the enforcement measures featured in the campaign adverts, the funding also covers prevention approaches such as youth outreach and visible local safety patrols in busy night-time economy areas,” it said.

The launch comes amid claims of progress in the fight against knife crime.

Recent figures, according to the statement, show knife crime has fallen 11 per cent since the General Election, while knife-related homicides have fallen by 25 per cent and knife-enabled robbery is down by 18 per cent.

In London, it said knife crime has fallen by 14 per cent over the same period, while knife-related homicides have fallen by 34 per cent and knife-enabled robbery is down by 19 per cent.

Speaking on the campaign, the Policing and Crime Minister, Sarah Jones, said everyone in Westminster and Croydon deserves to feel safe on their streets.

“Everyone in Westminster and Croydon deserves to feel safe on their streets. We know that hearing of knife crime incidents happening in your city can have the opposite effect, and we want to stop that. We’re working with police to target knife crime where it causes the greatest harm, using intelligence and cutting-edge technology to make our communities safer.

“‘No Place for Knives’ sends a clear message: action is being taken, and we will not accept people putting young lives and our communities at risk.”

Ms Jones said the campaign forms part of the government’s wider mission to halve knife crime in a decade, combining tougher enforcement with prevention and early intervention to protect young people and make communities safer.

Commander Pete Stevens of the Metropolitan Police said officers know the devastating impact knife crime has, not just on families who have lost loved ones but on entire communities.

“Our officers work tirelessly to combat this senseless violence, proactively directing our resources towards the people who pose the most risk.

“These tactics are working. In the last financial year, knife-enabled crime fell by 14.9 per cent across London and over the last 5 years the number of people hospitalised after being attacked with a sharp weapon has fallen by 29 per cent.

“We will continue to target violent criminals who threaten our communities. Every knife removed, and every suspect arrested has the potential to prevent serious harm or save a life.”

Inspector Colin Gallier, WMP Guardian Taskforce manager, said: “West Midlands Police are pleased to support the Home Office’s ‘No place for knives’ campaign, as it acts as an important reminder to everyone that we are taking robust action against those wanting to cause harm.

“From the use of new e-bikes across the city to specialist Guardian Taskforce patrols, the police are taking more knives off the street. Every knife removed from our streets is another life saved. Our work with partners in the city allows us to divert young people to more positive pathways before deciding to pick up the knife.

“We are on the streets of Birmingham making sure we take action against knife crime, and we want you to feel safe in the city. If you are worried about knife crime or a friend who might be carrying a knife, speak to one of our officers or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Also, Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at the charity Crimestoppers, said knife crime can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities.

“We know that knife crime can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. If someone has information about knife-carrying violence but is worried about being identified, our charity provides a way to speak up completely anonymously.

ALSO READ: El Niño heightens risk of Rift Valley fever outbreaks in Eastern Africa, FAO, IGAD warn

“By sharing information, communities can help prevent harm, protect young people and contribute to safer neighbourhoods.”

Patrick Green, CEO of Hackney-based Ben Kinsella Trust, welcomed the campaign and its contribution to the wider effort to reduce knife crime and protect young lives.

“Every young person deserves to feel safe without feeling the need to carry a knife. We therefore welcome the Home Office’s ‘No Place for Knives’ campaign and its contribution to the wider effort to reduce knife crime and protect young lives,” Green said.

“A particular strength of ‘No Place for Knives’ is that it has drawn on young people’s input during its development. Young people understand better than anyone the pressures, anxieties and misconceptions that can lead to knife carrying.

“By listening to young people and reflecting their experiences in the campaign, the Home Office has created a stronger and more authentic platform for encouraging safer choices and preventing violence.”