In my role as the Policing Minister, I pledged to combat knife crime and enhance community safety. I am pleased to report that after one year, significant progress has been made in fulfilling this commitment.
Incidents of knife crime have decreased, lives have been spared, and neighborhoods are now safer due to the proactive measures implemented by the Home Office and law enforcement agencies.
Over the past year, tangible outcomes have spoken louder than mere words. In areas where the fear of knife-related robberies loomed large, targeted enforcement actions and preventive strategies have led to a remarkable reversal of the situation.
The establishment of a specialized team dedicated to addressing knife robberies in seven high-incidence regions has resulted in a 15% reduction in such crimes since June 2024. This equates to nearly 2,500 fewer robberies—a substantial improvement compared to the previously escalating trend. Data-driven, focused policing approaches are shielding communities and preempting acts of violence effectively.
Furthermore, the success of our County Lines Programme has been unprecedented. These exploitative drug networks, which often fuel knife crime and lure vulnerable youth into criminal activities, have been dismantled on a large scale.
Since July 2024, more than 3,000 drug lines have been shut down, leading to over 8,200 arrests, including charging 1,600 line holders, and the seizure of around 1,000 knives. Behind these figures lie transformed lives: over 4,300 vulnerable individuals have been referred for safeguarding, and more than 600 children have received support through the dedicated Catch22 service we sponsor.
These young individuals are breaking free from exploitation and forging safer paths forward. The impact is evident, with a 25% reduction in hospital admissions for stab wounds in areas where significant volumes of Class A drugs are trafficked—translating to 840 individuals spared from harm.
Notably, hospitalizations due to drug misuse have also plummeted. These statistics reflect not just numbers but families shielded from sorrow and communities infused with optimism. This progress is the result of meticulous planning and strategic implementation.
Through initiatives like knife surrender programs, individuals seeking a way out of knife-carrying culture have been provided with avenues to relinquish their weapons. Nearly 60,000 knives have been removed from circulation through these initiatives. Our innovative Hex mapping technology identifies localized high-risk areas for serious knife crime, enabling efficient policing and targeted collaborations with local stakeholders.
Violence Reduction Units are working closely with families and schools to steer young people away from criminal activities. Additionally, over 50 Young Futures Panel initiatives are intervening proactively to safeguard those most vulnerable.
Listening to the voices of those most impacted by these heinous crimes has also been paramount. Legislation such as Ronan’s Law, championed by Pooja Kanda following the tragic loss of her son in 2022, has enhanced penalties for offenders and safeguards for victims—an unequivocal stance against knife crime.
Stricter age verification protocols for online knife sales are closing exploitable loopholes, and consultations are underway for a licensing scheme to impede illicit knife purchases by criminals and youths.
The battle against knife crime continues, but the achievements of the past year demonstrate the potential when government, law enforcement, and communities collaborate. Each surrendered knife, every dismantled County Line, and every safeguarded child represent lives preserved and futures secured.
The trajectory has shifted from escalating knife crime to declining incidents, and our resolve remains unwavering until serious violence is eradicated from our communities, and every young person is afforded the opportunity for a safer tomorrow.