New Home Office data shows nearly 60,000 knives have been taken off the streets since last July as campaigners hail a ‘critical achievement’ in the drive to halve knife crime in a decade
Nearly 60,000 knives have been taken off the streets since last July, latest data shows.
Campaigners have branded it a “critical achievement” as ministers insist they are on track to meet their target of halving knife crime within a decade.
Data released by the Home Office shows 7,512 knives and weapons had been surrendered during a summer surrender scheme. This is on top of 47,795 zombie-style knives and machetes surrendered last year.
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Border Force has seized 3,334 knives, while 618 blades were recovered through County Lines Programme operations.
Sandra Campbell, who heads campaign group Word 4 Weapons, said: “Every weapon safely surrendered represents one less potential tragedy in our communities.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Too many young lives are lost each year to knife crime.
“This government is determined to halve knife crime. We are making progress, but we won’t stop until we meet that goal. We will pursue this mission relentlessly, doing everything we can to get these weapons off our streets.”
It comes after crime figures revealed a 5% drop in knife-related crime in a year. There were 51,527 knife offences in the 12 months to June, compared to 54,215 the previous year.
There was an 18% drop in knife homicides in the same period. Labour has vowed to cut such crimes by half within a decade.
Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust – set up in memory of 16-year-old Ben, stabbed in a senseless attack in 2008 – welcomed the latest data.
He said: “The removal of large and dangerous weapons, particularly ninja swords in significant quantities, is a critical achievement. It’s a powerful step toward making our streets safer and protecting young lives from senseless violence.”
Campaigner Faron Paul, who set up FazAmnesty – which operates knife bins and offers vital mentoring to drive down knife crime, said: “With the support of local authorities and other charities, collectively we took thousands of weapons off the streets. That shows the power of collaboration.”
And he continued: “We feel confident about reducing knife crime by 50% in next 10 years.”
A ban on ninja swords – known as Ronan’s Law in memory of murdered 16-year-old Ronan Kanda – came into effect on August 1. In the month before it came into effect, surrender bins and a mobile ban were set up in parts of London, Manchester and the West Midlands.
Ronan’s mum Pooja said: “Real change is happening — in memory of Ronan and for the safety of every young person. I am grateful to the government for taking real action and making real change.”
Measures in the Crime and Policing Bill, which is going through Parliament, will strengthen age verification checks for the online sale and delivery of knives.
Tech executives will face tough penalties for illegal knife content online.