Knife crime has hit a record high in the United Kingdom in what one lawmaker is calling an “epidemic of serious violence.”
Knife crime levels increased 8% by 3,301 individual offenses during 2018-2019, passing record levels of the prior year, according to data released Thursday. Crimes committed with knives and other sharp objects are up 42% since the Office for National Statistics began tracking the data in 2011.
“To see knife crime increase by 8% after already being at record levels is truly shocking,” said MP Sarah Jones, who is chairwoman of the Parliament’s committee on knife crime. “Today’s figures show the government has been far too slow to tackle county lines activity which sees vulnerable, armed young people trafficked into towns across our country.”
Theresa May’s replacement as prime minister will be “inheriting an epidemic of serious violence,” Jones said.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has blamed the increase in knife crimes on “austerity” brought about by a “nine-year experiment to shrink the state,” he said in a speech Monday. Khan made the speech in response to data published by the London City Hall showing that 33 people have died from stabbings this year after a spike of 135 in 2018.
Khan called for millions more invested into British police departments as well as increased social spending because “we can’t expect the police to bring down poverty and inequality.”
Khan is a vocal supporter of strict knife-control. People cannot legally carry a knife longer than 3 inches in public “without good reason.” Authorities do not consider self-defense a valid reason.
In April 2018, Khan tweeted that “there is never a reason to carry a knife. Anyone who does will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law.”
No excuses: there is never a reason to carry a knife. Anyone who does will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law. https://t.co/XILUvIFLOW
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) April 8, 2018
