The action comes after the Tories left office with knife crime rising. In their last year in power, knife-enabled crime rose by 4% and robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument rose by 11%.
Labour's targeted approach to tackling knife crime is working. In the seven forces where targeted action was prioritised, knife-enabled robberies have fallen by 23% – equivalent to more than 3,600 fewer robberies.
The Government will now expand this approach to 236 knife-crime hotspots across 27 police force areas, combining increased police patrols and surveillance with prevention and early intervention for young people.
Overall knife crime has fallen by 11% since Labour came to power, according to the official figures, as this Labour government works towards its mission to halve knife crime within a decade.
Labour's Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and no young life should be blighted by knife crime.
“Targeted policing and prevention, focused on the areas where the need is greatest, is already cutting knife robberies by nearly a quarter. That means safer streets, and fewer lives lost.
“I am now taking this approach to more than 230 areas across the country. This Government is getting tough on knife crime and on the causes of knife crime to make our communities safer.”
Daniel Zeichner, Labour's MP for Cambridge, said:
"Knife crime has devastating consequences for families and communities, so I welcome this action to make our streets safer. In Cambridge, I know how important it is that people feel safe in their neighbourhoods, and that we act early to prevent young people being drawn into violence.
“Cambridgeshire Constabulary is one of 27 forces taking part in this crackdown, with targeted action in Cambridgeshire bringing together tougher policing and prevention to stop violence before it starts.
“After years in which knife crime was allowed to rise under the Tories, this Labour Government is determined to turn the tide – putting more focus on the places most affected and working to halve knife crime within a decade.”
