The Government’s policing minister, Sarah Jones, criticized Nigel Farage, labeling him a “plastic patriot” lacking solutions for addressing knife crime. Jones emphasized the progress made under Labour’s governance and dismissed Farage’s claims of lawlessness in Britain. She highlighted the success in reducing knife crime through strategic interventions and expressed commitment to further progress.
Labour has set a goal to cut knife-related offenses in half within ten years. Recent data revealed a 5% decrease in knife crimes and an 18% reduction in knife homicides over a year. Jones acknowledged the positive trend but stressed the ongoing need to combat knife crime effectively.
Jones attributed the decline in knife crime to targeted policing, increased police presence, and stricter knife sale regulations. She emphasized the collaborative efforts across various departments to prevent youth involvement in violence following cuts to youth services. Jones underscored the importance of integrating services to make a significant impact on reducing crime.
In contrast, Farage proposed a £17 billion plan under Reform to halve crime rates, including measures such as ‘Nightingale’ prisons and deporting foreign criminals. Farage’s plan involves reallocating funds from projects like HS2 and climate commitments to support crime reduction initiatives.