Nearly 60,000 knives have been confiscated since July of last year, according to the most recent data available. Advocates have hailed this as a significant accomplishment, with government officials affirming their commitment to reducing knife-related crimes by half over the next ten years.
The Home Office disclosed that a total of 7,512 knives and weapons were turned in during a summer surrender initiative. Additionally, 47,795 zombie-style knives and machetes were relinquished last year. Border Force authorities have intercepted 3,334 knives, and 618 blades were seized in operations under the County Lines Programme.
Sandra Campbell, leading the campaign group Word 4 Weapons, emphasized the importance of each surrendered weapon in preventing potential tragedies within communities. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stressed the government’s resolve to combat knife crime, highlighting the ongoing efforts to eliminate these weapons from the streets.
Recent crime statistics revealed a 5% decrease in knife-related offenses over the past year, with 51,527 incidents reported in the 12 months leading to June, down from 54,215 the previous year. Furthermore, there was an 18% decline in knife-related homicides during the same period. The Labour party has pledged to cut such crimes in half within the next decade.
Patrick Green, the CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, established in memory of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella who was fatally stabbed in 2008, welcomed the latest data. He commended the removal of dangerous weapons, particularly ninja swords, as a crucial achievement that contributes to enhancing street safety and protecting young lives from violence.
Faron Paul, a campaigner who founded FazAmnesty—an organization operating knife bins and providing essential mentoring to combat knife crime—expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts that resulted in the removal of thousands of weapons from the streets. He expressed confidence in the potential to reduce knife-related crimes by 50% in the next decade.
A ban on ninja swords, known as Ronan’s Law in memory of murdered teenager Ronan Kanda, was enforced on August 1. Prior to its implementation, surrender bins and a mobile ban were established in various locations, including parts of London, Manchester, and the West Midlands.
Pooja, Ronan’s mother, acknowledged the positive changes occurring in honor of her son and for the safety of all young individuals. She expressed gratitude towards the government for taking concrete actions to effect real change.
Proposed measures in the Crime and Policing Bill, currently under parliamentary review, aim to strengthen age verification protocols for online knife sales and deliveries. Additionally, stringent penalties will be imposed on tech executives for hosting illegal knife-related content online.
