Context
The question arises from efforts to address the increasing problem of knife crime in Redditch and other constituencies. It references specific actions by a local campaigner, Pete Martin, who is working to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.
Question
What steps her Department is taking to help tackle knife crime. I thank the Secretary of State for her answer, and for the seriousness with which this Government are tackling the scourge of knife crime in constituencies like mine. In Redditch, the anti-knife-crime campaigner Pete Martin is making a real difference by educating young people in schools about the dangers of knife crime. Will the Secretary of State consider visiting Redditch to see Pete’s work at first hand, and the real difference that it is making in our schools?
Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)
Can I pass on my thanks, through my hon. Friend, to the team who are doing such good work in his community? We are certainly keen to know more about that, because he is right about local work preventing young people from being drawn into knife crime. That is why we are setting up the Young Futures prevention programme, and we are introducing a new law on child criminal exploitation to go after the gangs who draw young people into crime.
Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit to visiting Redditch but expressed interest in learning more about local efforts.
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