KNIFE crime is at the “highest and most worrying” level in forty years, the Met Police chief says.
But Cressida Dick insisted figures are falling — with knife-related injuries down 15 per cent on last year.
PA:Press Association
She told MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Committee she is “cautiously optimistic” that serious knife crime is stabilising in London and other UK cities.
But the Commissioner said the past few years had been “deeply worrying” with more younger people involved and more knives on our streets.
She added: “The last couple of years undoubtedly have been the highest and most worrying levels in my service. If you look at stabbings of young people, I do think this is a new and tragic and worrying phenomenon. It is my number one priority.”
There were 44 violent deaths in London by March 26 in 2018 compared with 29 killings this year.
Ms Dick said kids were stabbing each other with “huge hunting knives and Rambo knives” that cause life-changing injuries. She also said gang members exploit school friendships to bring in recruits.
And The Met boss criticised Chancellor Philip Hammond over the extra £100million he promised to tackle blades on the nation’s streets, saying it was a “small amount of money”.
She vowed to campaign for more cash in the upcoming spending review.
