Knife-point robberies in areas heavily impacted by the crime have seen a significant decrease of 15% since June of the previous year, according to newly released data. The Home Office statistics reveal a closure of over 3,000 county lines networks, resulting in approximately 2,500 fewer individuals facing the threat of being robbed at knifepoint.
Moreover, the crackdown on drug smuggling operations has led to more than 8,000 arrests, particularly those involving the exploitation of children. The data indicates that over 4,000 young people and vulnerable individuals have received support to steer them away from gang involvement.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones commended Labour’s efforts in addressing knife crime, stating that the progress is a result of strategic planning and implementation. Under the County Lines Programme initiated by the government, a total of 3,042 county lines have been dismantled, with 8,226 arrests made since July 2024. Additionally, 923 knives have been confiscated, and 4,323 safeguarding referrals have been initiated.
The Labour party, with a commitment to halve knife crime over the next decade, has garnered support from individuals like Pooja Kanda, who lost her son to a brutal attack. Kanda expressed gratitude towards the government’s actions, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between authorities, advocates, and affected families in combatting youth violence and enhancing protections for communities.
Kate Wareham, the strategic director of Catch22, an anti-knife crime organization, praised the Home Office for its progress in tackling county lines operations, safeguarding vulnerable individuals, and enhancing community safety. The launch of the Knife-Enabled Robbery (KER) Taskforce in October 2024, focusing on high-risk areas such as London, Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, and British Transport Police, has resulted in a 15% reduction in knife-enabled robberies, from 16,067 to 13,633 incidents.