3 in 4 worried for their family amid blade epidemic

THREE in four people are concerned for the safety of their family because of the massive rise in knife crime, Daily Mirror research shows.

One in 17 said they have been the victim of an offence involving a blade. And one in 12 have witnessed such a crime.

Our survey of adults also shows that one in six knows someone who is a knife crime victim.

West Mids Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “These are truly damning figures that should shame the Government and shock them into meaningful action.”

One in 14 adults – mostly men – admitted to having carried a knife “for safety”.

The figure for 18- to 34-yearolds was one in eight.

Our survey comes amid an appalling surge in the number of boys and young men being stabbed. Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove said: “This survey paints a depressing picture of the fear knife crime has created in our communities.

“Mothers used to worry about the safety of their daughters – that’s now shifted to anxiety about whether their teenage son will come home safe.”

Baroness Newlove, whose husband Garry was murdered by youths in 2007, highlighted gang violence as the root cause of rising knife crime, adding it is not restricted to deprived areas because wealthier places are also fuelling the demand for drugs.

Our poll found that the area where most people said they have been the victim of knife crime was the North of England.

The survey also shows that almost six in 10 people are worried that children they know might become involved in knife crime or gang-related activity. These fears were highest in London and the Midlands.

After reading the findings of our research, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he is backing the Mirror’s End the Knife Epidemic campaign calling for measures such as more police on the streets.

Mr Khan said: “There is no doubt repeated Government cuts have resulted in knife crime rising to an unacceptably high level in our city, and throughout the country. We are determined to drive down these numbers.”

He added: “The Government urgently reverse their cuts to policing and preventative services if we are to truly end violent crime, and I fully support the Mirror’s campaign to tackle this crucial issue.” The 1,000 BARONESS NEWLOVE ON VIOLENCE AMONG BOYS must adults in the Survation poll for the Mirror were asked which of a range of suggestions was the best way to tackle knife crime.

Tougher sentences for offenders came out top, followed by boosting police numbers, then more stop and search, and greater investment in youth services.

A clear majority believe less police funding has contributed to the knife crisis. Most people said they see an officer on the streets once a month or even less frequently.

West Mids police has lost 2,000 officers in less than a decade, and the area has suffered a 72% rise in knife crime in five years. Theresa May insists there is “no direct correlation” between police cuts and knife crime.

Yesterday the Mirror revealed knife crime rose to record levels last year with 40,829 offences, up 30% since 2011.

In the first quarter of this year, 66 people have been killed in blade attacks.

The worst hit areas are London and the West Midlands – knife deaths this year have included 14-year-old Jaden Moodie, in Leyton, East London, and 18-year-old Hazrat Umar in Birmingham.

Crime commissioner Mr Jamieson was among those at a recent Downing Street knife crime summit hosted by Mrs May.

He said he alerted her to all the factors he blames for the knife crisis, but told the Mirror he is “still waiting for the Government to take the action required to tackle the root causes of violence”.

Mums used to worry about their daughters – now it’s about sons