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Knife Crime in London

12 February 2025

Lead MP

Luke Taylor
Sutton and Cheam
LD

Responding Minister

Dame Diana Johnson

Tags

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law Enforcement
Word Count: 4475
Other Contributors: 3

At a Glance

Luke Taylor raised concerns about knife crime in london in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

I urge the Minister to outline what steps the Government are taking to get back to proper community policing, reduce abstraction rates of safer neighbourhood officers, and support Commissioner Rowley as he implements reforms at the Metropolitan Police.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Sutton and Cheam
Opened the debate
The number of police community support officers in the Metropolitan Police force has declined from 4,247 in 2008 to just 1,215 in 2023. In my constituency and across London, we see safer neighbourhood officers being abstracted from their beats, resulting in fewer police officers on the streets to deter crime.

Government Response

Dame Diana Johnson
The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention
Government Response
Acknowledges the need for a multi-faceted approach to tackling knife crime, including supporting violence reduction units with adequate funding. Promises to review findings from serious violence reduction orders and suspicionless stop and search trials. Described a whole-of-Government approach to halving knife crime over ten years, including the establishment of the coalition to tackle knife crime and the restoration of neighbourhood policing with an additional £200 million in funding. Mentioned the Young Futures programme for early intervention and support for vulnerable children and young people. In response to knife crime and violence, the government has committed over £49 million for next year towards continuing work through violence reduction units, with £9.4 million allocated specifically for London. The Government have also implemented a ban on zombie knives and machetes since September and are consulting on banning ninja swords. Strengthening age verification controls and checks for all online sellers of knives at the point of purchase and delivery is in progress to reduce illegal sales and content.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy

About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.