Nearly 60,000 knives have been confiscated from public circulation 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 offenses by half over the next ten years.
Official figures from the Home Office indicate that 7,512 knives and weapons were voluntarily surrendered during a specific initiative last summer, in addition to 47,795 zombie-style knives and machetes handed over in the previous year. Border Force authorities have intercepted 3,334 knives, while 618 blades were seized through operations related to the County Lines Programme.
Sandra Campbell, leading the campaign group Word 4 Weapons, emphasized the importance of each weapon being safely surrendered, highlighting the potential lives saved within communities. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stressed the urgency of addressing the issue, stating that the government is resolute in its goal to tackle knife crime comprehensively.
Recent crime statistics have indicated a 5% decline in knife-related criminal activities over the past year, with 51,527 incidents reported compared to 54,215 in the preceding year. Additionally, there has been an 18% reduction in knife-related homicides during the same timeframe. The Labour party has also committed to halving such crimes within the next decade.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, established in memory of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella who was tragically killed in a knife attack in 2008, praised the latest data. He highlighted the significance of removing large and dangerous weapons, particularly ninja swords, as a crucial step toward enhancing street safety and safeguarding young lives from violence.
Faron Paul, founder of FazAmnesty, an organization involved in collecting weapons through knife bins and offering essential mentoring to combat knife crime, emphasized the impact of collaborative efforts with local authorities and charities. The collective actions have resulted in the removal of thousands of weapons from public spaces, demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative initiatives.
Furthermore, a ban on ninja swords, known as Ronan’s Law in memory of the late Ronan Kanda, was implemented on August 1. Prior to its enforcement, surrender bins and mobile bans were established in various areas including London, Manchester, and the West Midlands. Ronan’s mother, Pooja, expressed gratitude for the government’s proactive stance in enacting tangible changes for the safety of young individuals.
Proposed measures in the Crime and Policing Bill currently undergoing parliamentary review aim to enhance age verification protocols for online knife sales and deliveries. Additionally, stringent penalties will be imposed on technology executives for hosting illegal knife-related content online.