As the Policing Minister, I vowed to combat knife crime and enhance community safety. After one year, significant progress has been achieved in fulfilling this commitment.

Efforts by the Home Office and law enforcement have resulted in a decline in knife-related incidents, saving lives and making neighborhoods more secure. Tangible outcomes, not just rhetoric, have defined the past year’s initiatives, leading to remarkable transformations in areas plagued by the threat of knife robberies.

The launch of a specialized group to address knife theft in seven high-incidence regions has contributed to a 15% reduction in such crimes since June 2024. This equates to nearly 2,500 fewer incidents, marking a substantial improvement compared to the previous upward trend. Strategic law enforcement strategies, guided by data analysis, have effectively shielded communities and preempted violent acts.

The success of the County Lines Programme is also noteworthy, with a record-breaking impact. These illicit drug networks, linked to knife crime, have been dismantled, freeing numerous vulnerable youths from criminal entanglements.

Since July 2024, over 3,000 drug lines have been shut down, leading to more than 8,200 arrests, including charges against 1,600 line operators, and the seizure of around 1,000 knives. Beyond these figures lie transformed lives: over 4,300 at-risk individuals receiving safeguarding support, and over 600 children benefiting from the dedicated services funded through Catch22.

The positive outcomes are evident, with a 25% decrease in hospital admissions for stabbings in regions associated with high drug trafficking. Noteworthy reductions have also been observed in hospitalizations due to drug misuse, underscoring the tangible impact on families and communities.

Various proactive measures have been instrumental in driving this progress, including knife surrender programs that allowed individuals to relinquish weapons. Innovative technologies like Hex mapping have facilitated the identification of localized knife crime hotspots, enabling targeted interventions.

Violence Reduction Units are actively engaging with families and schools to divert young people from criminal paths, while Young Futures Panel initiatives are offering early interventions for those most vulnerable.

Additionally, legislation such as Ronan’s Law, championed by Pooja Kanda following the tragic loss of her son in 2022, has strengthened penalties for offenders and safeguards for victims, sending a resolute anti-knife crime message.

Stricter age verification protocols for online knife sales are closing loopholes exploited by criminals, with proposals for a licensing scheme under consideration to restrict access to knives by offenders and youths.

While the battle against knife crime continues, the achievements of the past year underscore the collective impact of government, law enforcement, and communities collaborating. Each surrendered knife, closed County Line, and safeguarded child represents saved lives and secured futures.

The shift from escalating knife crime to diminishing incidents demonstrates the resolve to eradicate serious violence from our neighborhoods, ensuring every young person has the opportunity for a safer tomorrow.