Leicester sees the highest knife possession rates in Leicestershire, with alarming crime statistics prompting calls for stricter regulations.
Leicester: Recent stats show that people in Leicester are more likely to carry knives than anywhere else in Leicestershire. Knife crimes have really shot up over the last decade. The Prime Minister even mentioned how easy it is for teens to buy knives online.
In the last three years, Leicestershire Police recorded 584 knife possession crimes in Leicester alone. That’s more than triple the numbers from other areas in the county. It’s a worrying trend.
Looking at the bigger picture, knife crime in Leicestershire has increased significantly. In the year ending March 2024, there were 796 serious knife-related offences, which is a staggering 83% higher than a decade ago.
Interestingly, the numbers show that knife possession offences have also risen. In the year leading up to June 2024, there were 347 recorded incidents, which is nearly three times the 120 offences from ten years back.
When you break it down by area, Charnwood had 118 knife possession crimes, while North West Leicestershire had 69. Other areas like Hinckley and Bosworth and Melton also reported their share of incidents.
In terms of population, Leicester has the highest rate of knife crimes, with 16 incidents for every 10,000 residents. That’s about one in every 639 people caught carrying a knife recently.
These alarming figures come after warnings from PM Sir Keir Starmer about the ease of buying knives online. He highlighted a tragic case where a young attacker was able to purchase a knife without any checks.
In response, the government is looking to enforce stricter regulations on online knife sales. Retailers might soon have to ask for two forms of ID when someone tries to buy a knife, which could include a passport or a driving license.
Employment minister Alison McGovern emphasized the need for these measures to prevent the devastation caused by knife crime. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also expressed outrage that a young person with a violent history could buy a weapon online.
Sir Keir pointed out that it’s still shockingly easy for kids to get their hands on deadly knives. He stressed the importance of using technology for age verification to protect children from future harm.
Commander Stephen Clayman is leading a review of online knife sales, and the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill will introduce new penalties for tech executives whose companies don’t comply with the law.
Amazon has stated that they take the sale of age-restricted items seriously and are investigating the situation. They use ID verification services to check the age of customers when they order knives.
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