‘Get a grip’ Tories told as knife robberies soar
AROUND 55 people a day have been robbed at knifepoint, according to a disturbing analysis of crime figures.
There were 20,000 robberies involving blades or other sharp instruments in the 12 months to September, up from 11,032 in 2015.
And the shocking statistics have led to the Government being accused of presiding over a “crimewave”.
In all, knife offences climbed by five per cent year on year to 48,716 – more than 900 a week.these included
21,672 assaults and 5,459 threats to kill, and is an increase of 77 per cent on 2015. The true figures are likely to be even higher because data from Greater Manchester and Devon and Cornwall forces has not been included.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Robbing someone at knifepoint is an appalling and dangerous crime yet thousands more people are becoming victims.thetories’ failure to get any kind of grip on knife crime is dangerous and damaging.”
And Lee Anderson, a member of the Home Affairs committee who quit the
Tories to join Reform UK, said: “There is a crimewave because nothing is being done.the chances of getting caught are nearly zero.”
But a Conservative source said: “The data is clear, Labour is failing on knife crime. Over 50 per cent of all knife-point robberies happened in areas with Labour Police and Crime Commissioners.”
The insider insisted the Government has a “credible plan”, saying “violence reduction units” and “hot-spot policing patrol” have “prevented an estimated 3,220 hospital admissions for violent injuries since 2019”.