Knife-enabled crime increased by 7% across England and Wales last year.
SHARE:
A 16 year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in Islington on Tuesday morning at 12.12am.
The teenager had collided with a lamppost on his motorcycle in Beachcroft Way. When examined by paramedics, the 16 year-old was found with a suspected knife injury.
Despite efforts, the boy died at the scene. The Metropolitan Police are now awaiting formal identification.
News of this morning’s stabbing comes at a time of crisis in the Capital.
Last week – on Wednesday 16 October – a 24-year-old man was attacked with a knife in Lewisham High Street.
On Thursday – the following night – Omarkafi Sahal, 28, died in hospital from stab wounds following an altercation in Kensington and Chelsea.
A never-ending story
Annual figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in April show that knife-enabled crime in the year ending December 2023 increased by 7% across England and Wales.
The sharpest increases were seen in relation to the number of robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument (up by 20%).
Efforts have been made by both the government and activists to tackle knife crime in the capital. In September, Legislation was passed which prohibited the possession of “zombie-style knives and machetes. High-profile campaigns from celebrities like Idris Elba have brought wider awareness.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, spoke to City News about the recent ban, saying:
‘The legislation that’s come in to ban zombie knives and zombie-style machetes is hugely important. These knives have been used on our streets not only to cause serious harm, but also to intimidate. They were far too easy to get hold of, far too easy to purchase online, and with little or no age verification.’
But it remains to be seen how effective the bans will be in tackling the wider issue of knife crime.
According to the Met’s own data, a number of boroughs – particularly in south London, like Lambeth, Merton, and Croydon – have seen spikes in knife-related offences over the past month.
Bromley was particularly affected, with a 100% increase being recorded.
Short HeadlineIslington stabbing highlights London’s knife crime crisis
StandfirstRecent tragedies show that more work needs to be done.
A 16 year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in Islington on Tuesday morning at 12.12am.
The teenager had collided with a lamppost on his motorcycle in Beachcroft Way. When examined by paramedics, the 16 year-old was found with a suspected knife injury.
Despite efforts, the boy died at the scene. The Metropolitan Police are now awaiting formal identification.
News of this morning’s stabbing comes at a time of crisis in the Capital.
Last week – on Wednesday 16 October – a 24-year-old man was attacked with a knife in Lewisham High Street.
On Thursday – the following night – Omarkafi Sahal, 28, died in hospital from stab wounds following an altercation in Kensington and Chelsea.
A never-ending story
Annual figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in April show that knife-enabled crime in the year ending December 2023 increased by 7% across England and Wales.
The sharpest increases were seen in relation to the number of robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument (up by 20%).
Efforts have been made by both the government and activists to tackle knife crime in the capital. In September, Legislation was passed which prohibited the possession of “zombie-style knives and machetes. High-profile campaigns from celebrities like Idris Elba have brought wider awareness.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, spoke to City News about the recent ban, saying:
‘The legislation that’s come in to ban zombie knives and zombie-style machetes is hugely important. These knives have been used on our streets not only to cause serious harm, but also to intimidate. They were far too easy to get hold of, far too easy to purchase online, and with little or no age verification.’
But it remains to be seen how effective the bans will be in tackling the wider issue of knife crime.
According to the Met’s own data, a number of boroughs – particularly in south London, like Lambeth, Merton, and Croydon – have seen spikes in knife-related offences over the past month.
Bromley was particularly affected, with a 100% increase being recorded.
Inside Success Union CIC claim to empower vulnerable young people, but allegations of underpayment and concerns over their fundraising practices are undermining their message.
The Court of Appeal has defended its decision not to change Valdo Calocane's sentencing, maintaining that a hospital order would be more effective in protecting society.
