Stephen Morgan MP has backed new Government action to tackle knife crime, as part of its plan to halve knife crime.
With knife crime already down by 8%, and knife-related homicides and hospital admissions for assault with a sharp object at their lowest level in a decade, Labour has announced plans to go further.
The latest measures include targeted support for schools in high-risk areas, with up to 250 schools set to receive specialist training to help identify risks early and prevent young people from being drawn into violence. The 50 schools facing the greatest challenges will receive more intensive support.
A new Safety In & Around Schools Partnership, backed by £1.2 million, will help schools improve safety on journeys to and from school and respond to risks in their local area.
Alongside prevention, the Government is stepping up enforcement with new mapping technology that allows police to pinpoint exactly where and when knife crime is most likely to occur, down to specific streets and times of day.
By focusing action on the areas that account for 90% of knife crime, officers can be deployed more effectively, with increased patrols and targeted use of tools such as knife arches, CCTV and Live Facial Recognition to deter offending and catch criminals.
This new approach is backed by £26 million through the Knife Crime Concentrations Fund, alongside over £34 million this year to tackle County Lines gangs and the exploitation of young people.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“To bring knife crime to an end, everyone in society must take responsibility. That is why, as constituents will know, I take addressing knife crime within our communities extremely seriously.
“Taking action in Parliament, I’ve backed efforts to rid our streets of dangerous weapons, including cracking down on online sales and investing in young futures to steer young people away from crime in the first place.
“We must continue to act early and focus efforts towards what will make the biggest difference. This means we must divert young people away from violence and take firm action against those responsible for it.
“I will continue to work with the police and others to make knife-free streets a reality here in Portsmouth”.
