Keir Starmer is set to host actor and activist Idris Elba, along with police, officials, and charities, on Monday to unveil a new initiative aimed at combating knife crime among young people.
Named the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, the group will include campaign organizations, youth representatives, community leaders, and families affected by knife crime.
The initiative will also involve tech companies, sports organizations, law enforcement, educators, and support staff, according to a statement from the Home Office.
While there are no immediate policy commitments linked to the project, aside from a previously announced ban on zombie knives, the Home Office and Downing Street hope the initiative will build momentum in addressing the issue.
The coalition aims to gather evidence on the root causes of knife crime, especially among young people, to help shape future government policy.
In the year leading up to March 2023, England and Wales recorded over 50,000 knife-related offenses, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous year but a 7% decrease from the 2019-20 period.
Knives or sharp objects, such as broken bottles, were used in 400 homicides during 2021-22. While much attention is focused on London, the West Midlands and Cleveland reported higher per capita rates of knife crime.
Starmer commented: “As a former director of public prosecutions, I have seen the devastating impact knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will confront head-on.”
He emphasized that the coalition will unite politicians, victims’ families, young people, community leaders, and tech companies to halve knife crime and reclaim the streets.
Elba added: “We must address the underlying causes of knife crime, not just its symptoms. This coalition is a step in the right direction, working to rehabilitate communities from within.”
One of the initial focuses of the project will be making knives harder to acquire, particularly online.
Cmdr Stephen Clayman, the national policing lead on knife crime, is currently conducting a review of online knife sales to minors and will report his findings to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper by the end of the year.
