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Knife Crime Awareness Week

21 May 2024

Lead MP

Fleur Anderson
Putney
Lab

Responding Minister

Not recorded

Tags

Crime & Law Enforcement
Word Count: 4295
Other Contributors: 6

At a Glance

Fleur Anderson raised concerns about knife crime awareness week in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key Requests to Government:

Labour will extend bans on dangerous weapons like ninja swords, establish an end-to-end review of online knife sales, and introduce a new youth programme costing up to £100 million per year. Labour also calls for tough consequences for carrying knives and sanctions against tech executives who allow knife sales.

How the Debate Unfolded

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

Lead Contributor

Putney
Opened the debate
Since 2015, knife crime has risen by a staggering 80%, with nearly 50,000 police-recorded offences involving knives or sharp instruments in England and Wales in 2023. Tragically, there were 244 murders involving knives or sharp objects in the same period, including 78 young people aged under 25 and 10 under 16. The government's response has been inadequate with insufficient measures to divert young people from violence and crime.
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.