Nearly 60,000 knives removed from streets as government pledges to halve knife crime within a decade…reports Asian Lite News
Nearly 60,000 knives have been taken off the streets of England and Wales through new surrender schemes and police operations launched under the government’s drive to protect communities and save young lives. The latest figures come as knife homicides have fallen by almost 20%, while overall knife crime has declined for the first time in four years, dropping by 5%. NHS hospital admissions data for England and Wales also show a 10% reduction in admissions for knife-related assaults.
The government says it remains firm on its mission to halve knife crime within the next decade, claiming it is on track to achieve that goal. Officials emphasised, however, that every life lost to knife violence remains “a tragedy we refuse to accept.” During its first year in office, the government introduced the first phase of Ronan’s Law, banning so-called “ninja swords” last summer. Ahead of the ban, a month-long national surrender scheme was launched to allow the safe hand-in of dangerous weapons. The initiative included funding for nearly 40 new surrender bins and a mobile van operating in London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands — the regions hardest hit by knife crime.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said too many young lives are lost each year to knife crime. “This government is determined to halve knife crime. We are making progress, but we won’t stop until we meet that goal. We will pursue this mission relentlessly, doing everything we can to get these weapons off our streets.” According to the Home Office, the latest surrender figures reveal that 7,512 knives and weapons were handed in through the ninja sword amnesty, the mobile surrender van and surrender bins; 47,795 zombie-style knives and machetes were surrendered last year; 3,334 knives were seized by Border Force; and 618 knives were recovered during County Lines Programme operations. Officials say these efforts are being reinforced by smarter policing techniques, including targeted hotspot patrols, knife arches, drones, plainclothes officers, and close partnerships with charities and community organisations.
The results have been welcomed by leading campaigners, community groups and families of knife crime victims. Pooja Kanda, a knife crime campaigner and mother of 16-year-old Ronan — who was killed with a ninja sword bought online — said, “After my son Ronan was killed with a ninja sword bought online, I worked with the government to deliver Ronan’s Law, banning these weapons and introducing strict checks. Thanks to the new amnesty scheme, which took place a month before the ban was implemented, over 7,500 dangerous weapons have already been surrendered, and knife-enabled robberies have fallen nationally by 10%, with a nearly 30% drop in the West Midlands region. Real change is happening — in memory of Ronan and for the safety of every young person. I am grateful to the government for taking real action and making real change.”
Campaigners say the success of the scheme lies in partnership working. Faron Paul, CEO of FazAmnesty, said, “It’s been an honour to support the Home Office on this national weapons surrender initiative. With the support of local authorities and other charities, collectively we took thousands of weapons off the streets. That shows the power of collaboration. FazAmnesty looks forward to further collaborations in the fight to reduce knife crime, and a special thank you to all the people that surrendered weapons during the scheme. We feel confident about reducing knife crime by 50% in the next 10 years.”
The first phase of Ronan’s Law, named after Ronan Kanda, is now in force. The government has banned ninja swords and is introducing tougher online safety and retail measures under the new Crime and Policing Bill, currently before Parliament. The legislation aims to strengthen age verification for online knife sales and deliveries, hold tech executives accountable for illegal knife content online, and tighten rules around the online sale of knives. Retailers will be required to report bulk sales, and new offences will be created for the possession of knives with intent to cause unlawful violence, extending the law to cover private premises.
Community organisations that partner with the Home Office say the joint initiatives have already made a measurable difference. Sandra Campbell, CEO of Word 4 Weapons, said, “Word 4 Weapons is proud to have partnered with the Home Office and FazAmnesty on this landmark surrender scheme, which has taken thousands of knives and weapons off the streets so far. Every weapon safely surrendered represents one less potential tragedy in our communities. We’re encouraged by the impact this initiative has already had and look forward to continuing our work together to create safer spaces and brighter futures for young people and neighbourhoods.”
