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200 arrests over four days as Met targets knives
Rob Singh, Crime Reporter09.07.08
More than 200 people have been arrested over four days in an unprecedented Met crackdown on knife crime in London.
Scotland Yard's new task force, launched to stamp out stabbings, searched 5,395 people and recovered 231 knives during a series of stop and searches across London last weekend.
The Blunt 2 task force arrested 237 people for possession of weapons and other knife-related crime. Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson launched the 75-strong force after 16-year-olds Ben Kinsella and Shakilus Townsend were stabbed to death within days of each other last week.
Following the death of 14-year-old David Idowu on Monday, 19 teenagers have been killed in the capital this year - including 14 which were knifed to death. The figures forced the Met to put the Blunt 2 team into action - a team born out of the Met's anti-knife operation Blunt 2 which began in May.
Including the weekend's figures, police have arrested 1,437 people, recovered 731 knives, and searched 32,395 people in seven weeks. A source within the Blunt task force said: "It shows we are committed to reducing knife crime across London and the launch of this task force is clearly having an impact on those individuals who persist on carrying knives.
He warned: "They will be caught, arrested and dealt with."
It came as Mayor Boris Johnson said the fight against the capital's knife crisis was not "hopeless"
As he watched police at work on their anti-knife crime operation at Mile End Tube station, in which commuters were invited to pass through scanners, he said the culture of teenagers carrying knives was "silly and self-destructive".
Mr Johnson said: "Operation Blunt 2 is clearly an important part of the fightback against the terrible scourge of knife crime."
He added: "And I back the police's decision to charge rather than caution the vast majority of young people found with knives."
Reader views (16)
I have been watching and reading about knife crime lately and have noticed that nearly all the stabbers and the stabbed are of ethnic origin. Nobody has mentioned this at all. Would like to point out this oversight as it might be useful to the police when they "profile" murderers in future.
- Frederick, London
These 'initiatives' catch the headlines for a couple of days and then they are quietly forgotten...until the next outrage. Has anybody ever seen a person serving a community service order? Perhaps it rather like a fine....payment entirely optional. The only sure sign that politicians are finally taking the current violent crime epidemic seriously is when the government commissions the construction of new jails for additionally 50,000 inmates. But that's not the biggest problem facing the criminal justice system. Recruiting incorruptible prison officers is hardest task.
- David, Croydon
Agree wholeheartedly with previous comment. most of these kids think our penal system is a joke. If they don't get a criminal record, stiffer penalties for repeated offences, and big reform efforts including making parents responsible as well, then the government is doing nothing more than paying lip service to a society which is deteriorating almost on a daily basis.
- C, sudbury
As some one already said, this is only Police PR exercise. As if they/criminals can not get any more knives. Nothing is going to come of it. Just wait a month or so, when you will hear another knife crime.
- Surj, london uk
I agree with PETER...they should all be imprisoned for a month...I believe this would deter others.
- Jean, London England
Well at least Boris is trying to do something in spite of ken's cronies guerilla war on the new mayor. Why doesn't Kenny let him get on with the job he was elected for, while he does the babysitting, the tax free golden handshake will last him for a long time.
- John Green, Nottingham uk
Looks like the criteria for stopping people under the infamous Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is broadening. Good call to stop knife crime but these thugs are not terrorists.
What next when you go through the ARCHES under this act? Printed material that Nu Labour dislikes? We must be careful how we use terror powers and not let terror be a Trojan Horse for for Nu Labour Snooping and Behavior adjustment in our Marxist country
- David Byrne, Perth , Aus
200 arrests! So that's 200 criminals starting the new 5 year mandatory jail sentence, No this is New Labour Britain. It means 200 yobs released and sneering at our weakness, 200 yobs out to do mischief. Invited indeed.
- Martin, London
It's good that the police are arresting so many (and this should be a permanently running operation), but how many will be punished? Most will be cautioned and sent on their way. They should all be jailed for a month and given criminal records. If they are caught again it should be a year in jail and the third time they should be locked up for a decade.
- Peter, Wimbledon
200 who should be fined and then forced to clean graffiti for a month.
- Nick, London UK
Well done Boris. Now make sure that these people are charged and go to prison! Example's are needed in order to save lives of our kids!
- Peter, n1
Well done Boris!
- Mark, London
Quote: "commuters were invited to pass through scanners"
I thought it was compulsory under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000? My experience is that you have no choice. Everyone is a suspect.
- Barrie, London
200 arrests. Out of that how many will be convicted and punished? None!
What's the use?
- John, London
Is there any point in doing this if they get bailed or cautioned ?
It should be no bail at all, then watch the offending rate go down, this is just police PR.
- P I Staker, London
It is alarming situation please keep it up. If there is no sever punishment you can't stop crimes. Please help us.
- M Amjad, London
