House of Commons · Westminster Hall
12 February 2025 · 3 other contributors · 4,475 words
Opened by Luke Taylor Lib Dem Sutton and Cheam
Responding minister: Dame Diana Johnson
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Luke Taylor raised concerns about knife crime in london in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
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.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
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.
Supports introducing blunted knives as a measure to reduce knife crime, highlighting the importance of practical solutions alongside the public health approach. Asked for a timeline on proposals addressing knife crime and suggested practical solutions such as education programmes.
The borough that encompasses Ilford South used to have five police stations but now there is only one for four constituencies. The hon. Member agrees that bringing police into communities and making them accessible to residents is vital. Emphasised the importance of police presence in communities to ensure safety.
Talked about zero tolerance in addressing knife crime.
Government Response
Dame Diana JohnsonThe Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention
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.