Knife crime in England and Wales has hit a new record high according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics.
The ONS said police recorded 45,627 offences in the year to December 2019.
That is 7% more than in 2018, and the highest since knife crime statistics were first collected in 2010-11.
The figures showed a 13% rise in the West Midlands and also does not include figures from Greater Manchester Police due to an ‘IT Glitch’.
A Spokesperson for Number 10 said that “more to be done to crack down on thugs carrying knives and ensuring they are properly punished”.
And Diana Fawcett, chief executive of the charity Victim Support, stressed that while the UK’s streets were currently “quieter” due to coronavirus, victims of historic knife crime were still coming to terms with their experience.
“Many victims will still be dealing with the emotional consequences of threats or attacks which took place long ago.”
Meanwhile robbery offences were also up with an annual increase of 12%, to 83,930 offences, this is the 4th year they have gone up in a row.
Unity News Network (UNN) Staff Writer | To find out more details about our staff, please head to the About Us section on our website.
