Knife Crime Initiative

Report: 10
Date: 30 September 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

An initiative to deter young people from carrying knives on the streets of London. Initially piloted in three Boroughs – Southwark, Sutton, and Hammersmith & Fulham Operation Blunt will draw on a range of tactics designed to arrest and deter those involved in any form of knife crime.

A. Recommendation

That

following the evaluation of the three pilot boroughs, the knife crime initiative should be rolled out across the remaining 29 London Boroughs.

B. Supporting information

1. In March/April 2004 the former Chair of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board and MPA member, Cecile Wright discussed with the Commissioner the feasibility of a knife crime initiative to support the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) public reassurance programme.

2. MPS data shows that there were just under 6,600 knife-related crimes in 2004 (this figure excludes offences for possession of an offensive weapon). This represents an 18% increase compared to 2003, following strong falls in 2002 (-18%) and 2003 (-7%). The 2004 total is still less than the number in both 2000 and 2001.

3. A knife crime report (Appendix 1) was commissioned to provide an initial analysis of knife crime investigations on Borough’s. In addition to the above data this piece of work identified each Borough’s contributed to knife crime and statistical information on victims as well as details on suspects and accused persons.

4. This analysis in Appendix 1 clearly demonstrates that young people aged 12-20 are most likely to be not only offenders but also the victims in these cases.

5. In consultation with partners on the Boroughs of Southwark and Sutton, it was decided that these two Boroughs’ should pilot the knife crime initiative. Southwark is one of the top five contributors to knife crime and the MPA member who raised the proposal has links with the Borough and will promote community support for the initiative. Sutton, one of the least contributors to knife crime provides a public reassurance balance between the two and has a large town centre where young people congregate with the perception of alcohol related anti social behaviour.

6. With the tragic death of 15-year old Kieran Rodney-Davis in June 2004 following a knife related incident, the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham was included in the knife crime pilot. Hammersmith & Fulham are a mid table contributor to knife crime.

7. The activities to support this initiative will comprise:

• The release of analysis describing the precise nature of the knife crime problem in London (19 July 2004 saw the media launch of this campaign).
• The tactical deployment of X ray machines at key public events to act as a preventative measure.
• The use of a knife amnesty to reduce the local circulation of knives.
• Tasked patrolling by pan London units (such as the Territorial Support Group) to knife crime hotspots.
• Partnership activities, including a campaign with schools, to make the routine carrying of knives by teenagers less fashionable.
• A positive charge policy is being agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure those carrying knives are charged and receive appropriate sentencing.
• Improved officer safety training for officers enforcing the new provisions of the Domestic Violence and Victims Bill 2003.

8. Feedback on these activities from the local communities, young people, education authorities and staff involved in this initiative on the three Boroughs’ during September and October 2004, will inform the Service on what has worked well and areas for improvement.

Links to gun crime

9. In response to the Authorities request an initial piece of analysis (Appendix 2) indicates that Boroughs with high gun crime also contribute to high knife crime. However, no analysis is currently available to establish whether there are links between the two. If the recommendation at ‘A’ is accepted further analysis will be commissioned on the links to gun crime.

C. Race and equality impact

1. This initiative is primarily aimed at young people to deter them from carrying knives. It therefore affects this section of the community to a greater extent than the general population. To mitigate this there are specific activities in this initiative to engage and consult with young people, so that they can inform us on what would deter them from carrying knives.

2. The X ray machine will be taken to key public events for demonstration purposes to illustrate to young people the technology available for detecting the carrying of knives. It will provide an opportunity for the exhibitors of this equipment to discuss with young people the reason why knives are so prevalent and what could be done to prevent them being carried.

3. The campaign will also include working with the education authorities to promote this initiative in schools. Young people and local communities will be consulted on the placement of amnesty bins; this will encourage their intended use, balanced against the need for security.

4. Included within the analysis (Appendix 1) there are disproportionate levels of offenders and victims in knife related offences. It is intended that the preventative activities directed around the initiative will enable the monitoring of this inequality.

D. Financial implications

1. In the three pilot sites the costs have been absorbed from within current budgets. Efficiency savings have been made by re-using amnesty bins from previous campaigns and having posters revitalised and updated. The X ray machine is supplied at no cost.

2. If the extension of knife crime initiative (recommendation ‘A’) is accepted funding streams will be explored with the education authorities.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Commander Simon Foy, Territorial Policing Headquarters

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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