Keir: Saying sorry won’t spare the thugs

SIR Keir Starmer claims he will put an end to ‘apology letters’ that allow youths to dodge knife crime charges.

Unveiling a plan to tackle the country’s ‘epidemic’ of knife violence, the Labour leader said anyone using or carrying a blade will face ‘real consequences’.

He vowed that if his party wins power, every offender would be given a ‘ bespoke action plan’ to prevent reoffending – alongside parental interventions.

The £100million ‘Sure Start’-style intervention, Young Futures, will involve the co-ordination of local services to identify those most at risk of knife crime. Labour’s pledge comes as the Government announced ‘zombie’ knives and machetes will be banned from September under a law designed to take the weapons off the streets. Sir Keir said he is concerned that too many young people found carrying knives can escape further sanctions under existing rules by writing a letter of apology.

But with Labour, he said every offender would be referred to a Youth Offending Team with a mandatory plan to prevent reoffending. And there would be tough guidance to ensure serious penalties – such as curfews, tagging and behavioural contracts – are always considered where appropriate.

Sir Keir said: ‘Too many young people are being drawn into squandering their life chances by getting involved in crime. No more apology letters, no more weak warnings. If you carry a knife, you’ll carry the consequences.

‘But this is not just about sanctions. I saw as Chief Prosecutor the power of prevention – lives are being lost to knife crime because Tory governments don’t. Labour will turn this around. We will give young people real support to achieve their potential and stay on track, but flout that chance, and they’ll feel the full force of the law.’ Policing Minister Chris Philp accused Labour of making ‘another reheated pledge’ using money from putting VAT on private school fees that ‘they have already spent seven times’.

The announcement comes as Sir Keir embarks on the second leg of the party’s ‘Missions tour’, alongside Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.

Last night the Government announced that it would lay before Parliament today legislation making it illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport zombie knives or machetes. Ministers are urging anyone in possession of such weapons to surrender them before the ban.