In this column, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, writes about the government's 'Safer Streets' mission, and what that means for Reading. Mr Rodda writes:

Knife crime is a scourge on our society and senseless acts of violence involving knives and bladed articles destroy lives and devastate communities and families.

We owe it to the victims and their loved ones to come up with solutions to this serious problem, which is why halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of this Labour government’s Safer Streets mission.

This Government has taken immediate action and is already getting dangerous weapons off the street. It has banned zombie-style knives and machetes, the manufacture, supply, sale and possession of which became illegal on 24th September 2024. Ahead of this date, 45,000 zombie-style knives and machetes were surrendered. Work to introduce a ban on ninja swords is also underway and the Home Office recently launched a consultation to seek views on its proposed legal description of ninja swords. 

We must also combat the unacceptable use of social media and online marketplaces to market illegal weapons and glorify violence. Another important consultation is currently underway on the Government’s proposals to introduce personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms and marketplaces who fail to act on illegal content concerning knives and offensive weapons.  

Both consultations are open until 11:59 pm on 11 December 2024 and views from directly affected parties and stakeholders - such as the police and local community groups - are particularly welcomed.  Please get in touch with my office on mattroddampcasework@parliament.uk for more information if you would like to contribute your views.  

Keeping children and young people safe is a top priority for this Government and it is investing in young futures with its ten-year Young Futures programme.  This will bring together expertise from across government departments and establish local Prevention Partnerships to identify and help at-risk young people to stay away from crime.  Young Futures hubs will also be set up offering young people a safe place to go where they can be diverted into positive activities and access the services they need. Furthermore, the Government’s manifesto included a commitment to introduce a new offence of criminal exploitation of children, to go after the gangs who are luring young people into violence and crime.  

In September, the Prime Minister launched a new coalition to tackle knife crime and stop young people being dragged into violent gangs. This initiative brings together campaign groups, families of people who have tragically lost their lives to knife crime, young people who have been impacted, community leaders, technology companies, sport organisations as well as partners in the health service, education and the police to develop an extensive understanding of what causes young people to be dragged into violence.  This work will provide vital evidence that will drive government policy to make Britain a safer place for the next generation.

On a local level, I would like to highlight the important work carried out last week by Thames Valley Police, which undertook a series of actions under Operation Sceptre, a national operation to target knife crime and those who carry knives.  This included ​​knife sweeps in several local parks.

Thames Valley Police also provide permanent knife amnesty bins to allow members of the public to dispose of knives and bladed articles in a safe and legal way.  These can be found at: Waitrose Car Park in Caversham, Cintra Park, Coley Park Community Centre, Kensington Park, Orts Road, Tilehurst Triangle, Chain Street and Reading Police Station.

If you have any information about the possession of knives or criminal activity relating to this type of crime, please call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.