We have all witnessed the devastating consequences of knife crime for families and communities in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, so I gladly welcome new action by the Labour government to expand its crackdown on knife crime. This will be targeted at more than 230 hotspots across England and Wales, including Luton town centre and three other areas covered by Bedfordshire Police.
These areas have been identified as high priority for tackling knife crime and will see tailored local plans combining increased police patrols and CCTV, redesign of public spaces to improve safety, and early intervention programmes for young people most at risk of being a victim or a perpetrator of knife crime.
This builds on existing work by the government through its landmark knife crime strategy, which aims to halve knife crime in a decade. Targeted measures already set in motion include a £320 million investment in Youth Justice Services, increased neighbourhood policing, and more support for schools in knife crime hotspots.
So far this has already seen overall knife crime fall by 11% under the current government. In the seven forces where targeted action was prioritised, knife-enabled robberies have fallen by 23% – equivalent to more than 3,600 fewer robberies.
Local organisations, including the Luton Youth Partnership, already do such vital work bringing partners in our community together to support young people and end the cycle of knife crime. I am delighted that this work will be bolstered by the Labour government delivering tailored plans to prevent knife crime in Luton town centre and other areas of Bedfordshire.