Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Knife Offences

Thursday 19 December 2024 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Solicitor General discussed with Cabinet colleagues the urgent need to tackle knife offences and ensure enforcement.
  • The Government are banning lethal weapons and working to prevent dangerous blades from ending up in the wrong hands.
  • The Solicitor General responded to queries about the link between police numbers and effective recording of knife crime prevention.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question arises from recent incidents of people carrying machetes in Hemel Hempstead, and a high rate of antisocial behaviour there. The MP also references 20,000 police officers being removed under previous Conservative Governments.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on prosecuting knife offences?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

Every single victim of knife crime is one too many, and this Christmas there will be some constituents, including my own, facing the heartbreaking reality of a loved one who is no longer with them due to knife crime. That is why, as part of our plan for change, the Government are 100% committed to tackling knife crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids discussing any recent discussions on prosecuting knife offences and instead provides a general statement on commitment to tackle knife crime.

How: General Statement, Commitment Without Specifics

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Q2 David Taylor Lab Hemel Hempstead
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

There have been reports of people carrying machetes in Livingstone Walk, Hemel Hempstead, with a Dacorum local crime unit investigating one incident of alleged robbery at knifepoint. The MP also mentions high rates of antisocial behaviour and police cuts under previous Governments.

Question

What further steps is the Solicitor General taking to ensure that violent thugs are not allowed to run riot and are brought to justice?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this important matter. Knife-enabled robberies surged under the previous Government, which is why the Home Secretary has made tackling these offences an urgent priority. Enforcement is key, and that is why we are putting police back on the beat with a named officer for every neighbourhood.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify further steps by the Solicitor General but mentions enforcement measures in general terms.

How: General Statement, Commitment Without Specifics

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Q3 Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP commends the Government's swift action on banning ninja swords and seizing zombie-style knives. Ilford South has experienced several heinous attacks this year where teenagers lost their lives.

Question

What are the Government doing to support the victims of knife crime and their families?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

My hon. Friend makes a powerful point. Many of our constituents will have gone through the same pain as his. That is why we are taking strong action on knife crime, banning lethal weapons and working to ensure that dangerous blades do not end up in the wrong hands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids addressing support for victims but focuses on actions against illegal possession of knives.

How: General Statement, Commitment Without Specifics

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Q4 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

In West Bromwich, young people wearing balaclavas and wielding machetes ran around the town centre in broad daylight. People were put off going into the town centre.

Question

What is the Solicitor General doing to work with other Ministers to crack down on these zombie-style knives and ensure our town centres are safe?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

I am very sorry to hear about that shocking incident in my hon. Friend's constituency, and she is right to raise it in this House. These kinds of weapons have absolutely no place on our streets. That is why this Government took quick action to ensure it was illegal to possess machetes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify actions by the Solicitor General or other Ministers but focuses on making possession of machetes illegal.

How: General Statement, Commitment Without Specifics

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Q5 Neil Shastri-Hurst Con Solihull West and Shirley
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP, as a former trauma surgeon, has seen the devastating effects of knife and other serious violent crime. The Government have committed to halving knife crime within a decade.

Question

Will the Solicitor General tell the House which crimes are to be included, and the date by which that will be achieved?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that knife crime is still too high—more than 50,000 instances in the year to June 2024. He is also right to highlight that this Government are taking strong action to combat knife crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify which crimes will be included or the target date for achieving the reduction in serious violent crime, focusing instead on high instances of knife crime.

How: General Statement, Commitment Without Specifics

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Q6 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Thames Valley Police's Wokingham neighbourhood team presented to young people the dangers of carrying knives at Bohunt School in Arborfield. The MP highlights early intervention as key and asks about conversations.

Question

What conversations has the Solicitor General had with her Home Office colleagues on the link between police officer numbers and effective recording of the prevention of knife crime?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight these issues in this House. Key to prevention and early intervention is our programme of young futures hubs and prevention partnerships.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address any conversations but discusses the importance of young futures hubs and prevention partnerships.

How: General Statement, Commitment Without Specifics

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Q7 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP raises concerns about the impact of knife crime on families.

Question

How many under-18s across the United Kingdom in the past 12 months have been: (a) cautioned; (b) charged; and (c) convicted of knife crime offences?

Answer from Lucy Rigby

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his question. He will appreciate that I do not have those statistics to hand, but I am more than happy to write to him.

Not addressed: The answer does not provide any specific statistics and defers to a written response.

How: Deferral, Procedural

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