Government expands crackdown on knife crime

The government has announced an expansion of targeted action to tackle knife crime, with more than 230 areas across England and Wales set to receive additional measures.

The approach will operate across 27 police force areas and will include increased police patrols, CCTV, early intervention programmes and improvements to public spaces. Local plans will be developed by police and councils and tailored to the needs of individual communities.

Alongside enforcement activity, the plans will include support aimed at young people considered most at risk of becoming a victim of, or being drawn into, knife crime. Changes to public spaces could include improved lighting and redesigning locations to reduce opportunities for weapons to be concealed.

The Home Office says the expansion follows results from targeted work involving seven police forces. Knife-enabled robbery across those force areas fell by 23% compared with the period around the July 2024 General Election, representing more than 3,600 fewer reported robberies. Overall recorded knife crime has fallen by 11%, according to figures cited by the government.

The measures form part of the government’s aim to halve knife crime over a decade, combining policing and enforcement with prevention and early intervention work.

Read the full announcement:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-expands-crackdown-on-knife-crime