03/07/2008
Operation Blunt Makes Sharp Progress
Operation Blunt II has seen a recovery of more than 500 knives, it has been announced.
London's Mayor Boris Johnson and Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced the figures at a joint press conference at City Hall detailing the activity to target knife crime in the capital.
Sir Ian said: "We need, as the whole community of London, to reach out to young people and their parents to help them get rid of the knives on our streets and provide them with alternatives to crime and gang membership. I really admire those, for instance, who organised the demonstration in Islington yesterday.
"Since Operation Blunt II started London-wide on 19 May, up until 29 June, the Met has carried out nearly 27,000 searches in this operation, arrested over 1,200 people for offences connected to knives, either those who are carrying or people already wanted for knife enabled crime, and we have seized over 500 knives."
Sir Ian added that two and a half times the number of people were arrested and prosecuted compared to last September.
A news source has reported that 528 knives have been seized.
Mayor Johnson said: "Everybody is shocked by the level of violence we are seeing, particularly towards young people in London and we must all work as hard as we can together to reverse this dreadful trend.
"Operation Blunt II is an important part of the fight back against the terrible scourge of knife crime."
Sir Ian has pledged that each of the cases would be "tracked through the courts so that the outcomes could be properly monitored".
The Met chief has also acknowledged that a "culture change is needed".
"The dreadful murder of Ben Kinsella shows that the problem of knife crime is still with us," he said.
Operation Blunt II was launched to tackle serious youth violence with knives being carried and used on London's streets.
See: Police Hunt Woman In Stab Death
(DS)
London's Mayor Boris Johnson and Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced the figures at a joint press conference at City Hall detailing the activity to target knife crime in the capital.
Sir Ian said: "We need, as the whole community of London, to reach out to young people and their parents to help them get rid of the knives on our streets and provide them with alternatives to crime and gang membership. I really admire those, for instance, who organised the demonstration in Islington yesterday.
"Since Operation Blunt II started London-wide on 19 May, up until 29 June, the Met has carried out nearly 27,000 searches in this operation, arrested over 1,200 people for offences connected to knives, either those who are carrying or people already wanted for knife enabled crime, and we have seized over 500 knives."
Sir Ian added that two and a half times the number of people were arrested and prosecuted compared to last September.
A news source has reported that 528 knives have been seized.
Mayor Johnson said: "Everybody is shocked by the level of violence we are seeing, particularly towards young people in London and we must all work as hard as we can together to reverse this dreadful trend.
"Operation Blunt II is an important part of the fight back against the terrible scourge of knife crime."
Sir Ian has pledged that each of the cases would be "tracked through the courts so that the outcomes could be properly monitored".
The Met chief has also acknowledged that a "culture change is needed".
"The dreadful murder of Ben Kinsella shows that the problem of knife crime is still with us," he said.
Operation Blunt II was launched to tackle serious youth violence with knives being carried and used on London's streets.
See: Police Hunt Woman In Stab Death
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 December 2006
Met launch anti-knife crime advertising campaign
Two new radio adverts aimed at discouraging young people from carrying knives have been launched by the Metropolitan Police. The adverts, which will target young people aged between 11 and 19, follow on from Operation Blunt's 'Knife City' campaign.
Met launch anti-knife crime advertising campaign
Two new radio adverts aimed at discouraging young people from carrying knives have been launched by the Metropolitan Police. The adverts, which will target young people aged between 11 and 19, follow on from Operation Blunt's 'Knife City' campaign.
29 June 2010
Tragic Eastender Backs Knife Scheme
Fact and fiction are merging today as a former 'TV soap' character uses her own all-too real tragedy to help tackle the scourge of knife crime in the UK. Brooke Kinsella is to head up a fact-finding mission into the work of schemes designed to stop young people carrying and using knives, Home Secretary Theresa May announced today.
Tragic Eastender Backs Knife Scheme
Fact and fiction are merging today as a former 'TV soap' character uses her own all-too real tragedy to help tackle the scourge of knife crime in the UK. Brooke Kinsella is to head up a fact-finding mission into the work of schemes designed to stop young people carrying and using knives, Home Secretary Theresa May announced today.
16 October 2008
Prison Does Not Put Teens Off Carrying Knives, Report Says
Teenagers believe they are more likely to be 'tagged' by the courts for carrying a knife, rather than have to face tough sentences, research has revealed. The report 'Why Carry A Weapon?' questioned a group of teens aged from 14 to 16 who had either been excluded from school or were serving time in custody.
Prison Does Not Put Teens Off Carrying Knives, Report Says
Teenagers believe they are more likely to be 'tagged' by the courts for carrying a knife, rather than have to face tough sentences, research has revealed. The report 'Why Carry A Weapon?' questioned a group of teens aged from 14 to 16 who had either been excluded from school or were serving time in custody.
09 May 2008
Schoolboy Killers Sentenced To Life
Two teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a schoolboy. Kodja Yenga, 16, was stabbed in the heart in a gang ambush in Hammersmith, west London, in March last year. Tirrel Davis, 17, and 14-year-old Brandon Richmond have been ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars.
Schoolboy Killers Sentenced To Life
Two teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a schoolboy. Kodja Yenga, 16, was stabbed in the heart in a gang ambush in Hammersmith, west London, in March last year. Tirrel Davis, 17, and 14-year-old Brandon Richmond have been ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars.
26 October 2015
Knife Crime Initiative Launched
The Metropolitan Police Service has launched a week of activity to tackle knife crime in the Capital, following a successful campaign in the summer.
Knife Crime Initiative Launched
The Metropolitan Police Service has launched a week of activity to tackle knife crime in the Capital, following a successful campaign in the summer.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.