House of Commons · Westminster Hall
21 May 2024 · 6 other contributors · 4,295 words
Opened by Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Responding minister: Not recorded
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Fleur Anderson raised concerns about knife crime awareness week in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key points
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.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
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.
I thank my hon. Friend for securing this important debate and mention the tragic death of Prince Walker-Ayeni, a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed in Moss Side, Manchester.
I thank my hon. Friend for her passionate speech on knife crime and emphasise the importance of Violence Reduction Units (VRUs), which have been funded by the Mayor of London's office, in mentoring young people away from crime.
I commend the hon. Lady for securing this debate and raise a Northern Ireland perspective on the surge in illegal import of knives disguised as belt buckles since January, warning that there is a market for hidden knives. Mr Shannon expressed encouragement regarding the minister's response, asking if it is possible to contact regional police forces to ascertain issues they face with new types of knives like buckle knives. This would help in drafting better legislation.
I highlight a horrific incident at Amman Valley School where a pupil attacked two teachers and another pupil, stressing the need for a focus on weapons in schools given that weapons are being produced in schools in Carmarthenshire.
In my constituency, the Streetwise Young People's Project has significantly raised awareness among young people about the dangers of carrying knives and I agree with the hon. Lady on the critical role of education in preventing knife crime.
Ms Edwards expressed concern about increasing antisocial behaviour and rising knife crime in Tamworth, highlighting a recent stabbing incident. She commended the DitchTheBlade campaign but noted that it requires greater focus to succeed given police resource constraints. The MP also discussed the role of local organisations like Changes Tamworth in reducing violence and reoffending rates.