Tonight:
4°c
Knife murder spirals to record levels in London
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent29 Dec 2008
FATAL stabbings in London have soared by more than a quarter, according to figures published today.
The number of deaths caused by knives or other sharp instruments in the capital rose to 86 in 2007/08, compared with 68 in the previous 12 months - a rise of 26 per cent.
Across England and Wales, the number of fatal stabbings reached 277 between April 2007 and April this year, or five every week. If confirmed, the number will be the highest since records began 30 years ago.
Shadow home affairs minister James Brokenshire, who obtained the latest figures under freedom of information laws, said: "Knife crime is a scourge which claims too many lives and ruins countless others. Yet under Labour it has soared."
However, the Met today issued latest figures showing a drop in some knife crimes and other offences. The number of youth knife crime victims was down to 2,204 between April and September this year compared with 2,698 in the same period last year.
Reader views (6)
It seems that every fool wants to blame the Labour Party for everything they are unhappy about. Sad
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 29/12/2008 18:31
Report abuse
A bit of a joke When you consider that there are 12 million people in greater London and every single one of them picks up a knife and fork each day and probably more than once. So tell us Nicholas what proportion of them are committing crime with there knives
- Michael, London UK, 29/12/2008 16:08
Report abuse
So Greg - you are claiming that immigrants are carrying out all the knife crime !!! Astonishing. What school do you attend? I need to ring the Head
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 29/12/2008 15:18
Report abuse
Government at its most corrupt, education at its most dumbed down, benefits at their highest level, political correctness at its highest level, judiciary unable to send a lot of people to prison as they are at their most crowded - anyone spot the link? Greg - do you truly believe that the UK born and bred are somehow innocent in all this and that is it only the 'evil' immigrants that are to blame?
- Mikki, London, 29/12/2008 14:45
Report abuse
Time to get this useless government out,this once great country has become a haven for criminals over the last 10 years.
- Stephen, London, 29/12/2008 12:12
Report abuse
Immigration at the highest levels ever. Crime at the highest levels ever. Can anyone spot the link ?
- Greg, Wigan , England, 29/12/2008 10:28
Report abuse
