Javid warns over knife-crime content

SAJID JAVID has demanded that social media companies step up efforts to remove online content that fuels knife violence.

The Home Secretary wants technology firms to get a grip on the issue of gang-related material in the same way that they have targeted terrorist propaganda.

He suggested the industry’s response to his call could have a bearing on the Government’s plans regarding legislation in the area. The Cabinet Minister said: “My message to these companies is we are going to legislate and how far we go depends on what you decide to do now.

“At the moment we don’t have the legislation for these types of (knife crime-related) content. I have it for terrorist content and child sexual abuse images.”

He praised tech companies for their work in combating terrorist-related material using methods such as artificial intelligence.

“They are doing an incredible job today and what I want to see is them employing the same emphasis to that (knife crimerelated) content too, it can be done,” Mr Javid told BBC Newsbeat.

He also spoke of his concern about his own children’s safety.

“My eldest daughter has started going out more than she used to,” he said. “But I do worry, and there are some nights that I’ve stayed up into the early hours of the morning waiting for her to get back home.”

His comments come at a time when Ministers and police are under intense pressure to get a grip on surging levels of serious violence including spates of knife attacks in Sheffield and Leeds.

Last week it was disclosed that the number of fatal stabbings in England and Wales had risen to its highest level since records started more than 70 years ago. Official statistics show there were 285 homicides by a knife or sharp instrument in the year to March 2018. The Home Office and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport are also preparing a White Paper on proposed measures to tackle legal and illegal online harms.