Police ramp up efforts to tackle knife crime in London

Residents are being encouraged to get rid of knives in amnesty bins. (credit: Words4Weapons)

The Metropolitan Police is increasing their efforts to tackle knife crime in London as part of a national operation.

As part of ‘Operation Sceptre’, officers will patrol streets and carry out random search checks in violent hotspots from today until Sunday, 2 May.

These changes come after 14-year-old Fares Maatou was stabbed to death in Canning Town on Friday afternoon.

So-called knife arches will be set up across the capital to check if people are carrying a weapon and drug detection dogs used to deter criminals in and around transport hubs.

Londoners are also being encouraged to hand in knives at one of 12 nominated police stations across the capital.

‘Words 4 Weapons‘ knife bin’s are also in place in various locations including Broadmead Road in Woodford, Seven Kings Road in Redbridge and at Salvation Army in Stratford.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology will be used to target individuals using the road networks to peddle drugs and, in the process, exploiting vulnerable young people.

Police will also be visiting young people in schools and other youth premises, offering details of available support services and information to highlight consequences of carrying a knife.

In addition, businesses will be approached in efforts to educate and ensure they are not selling knives irresponsibly to young people.

Commander Alex Murray, the Met’s Violence Lead, said: “Throughout the past year, which has seen unprecedented challenges for Londoners and the police, our priority continued to be targeting violent crime and its drivers.

“Now lockdown restrictions are easing, it is vital that we maintain this focus and drive.

“This operation is an intensification of the work officers are already doing on a daily basis to tackle knife crime and remove dangerous weapons from the streets, and last year we saw a 26% reduction in violent crime across London.

“We are absolutely determined to keep violence levels down as we approach the summer months.

“The impact of knife crime on families and communities in London is devastating, which is why we are also asking for communities to work with us or give information about knife crime, or anything they may know about violence in their area, to Crimestoppers – your anonymity is guaranteed.

“It might feel like a hard call, but it could save the life of someone’s son or daughter.”

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