The London Knife Crime Strategy - JUNE 2017 - London.gov.uk
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The London Knife Crime S t rategy J UNE 2 0 1 7 Date
T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y Copyright Greater London Authority June 2017 Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk More London London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4000
3 Contents Foreword from the Mayor 5 Knife Crime in London 9 Delivering this Strategy 21 Taking action 27 Targeting lawbreakers 29 Offering ways out of crime 43 Keeping deadly weapons off our streets 47 Protecting and educating young people 53 Standing with communities, neighbourhoods and families against knife crime 63 Supporting victims of knife crime 69 Measuring progress on knife crime 75
T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
5
Foreword - Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
As we publish this Strategy, knife crime We must not accept that crime and
with injury has been on the increase violence is a foregone conclusion for
for three years around the country. In any young person in London, regardless
London, dozens of families have been of their circumstances. We will redouble
bereaved; many more have seen their partnership efforts to divert young
loved ones severely injured. I know I people at highest risk of offending and
speak for the overwhelming majority victimisation away from a life ruined by
of Londoners when I say that this is crime and onto a better path.
absolutely unacceptable. It has to stop.
Our communities are sick and tired of the
Through this Strategy, we set out a damage being done by knife crime. We
comprehensive plan of partnership hear their voices. In this Strategy we set
action to tackle the immediate threat to out how we will support communities as
safety posed by knife crime in London. they stand up against knife crime, with
But, important as it is, tackling the new funding for grass-roots community
immediate problem is not enough. Over activities to protect their children and
the last decade, we have seen knife drive out crime.
crime peak, trough and peak again in
London. I refuse to accept that this is We recognise that knife crime hurts
the norm. If we are to make a lasting more than just the person physically
difference, we must do more to get to injured, and that support services
grips with the deeper issues fuelling must reach further. We are making
violence and knife crime in our city. greater investment in support for the
victims of knife crime, their families and
We value all of our citizens and the wider communities.
contributions they make as a whole in
making London the best city in the world. We support determined, targeted
Our young citizens play a huge part in enforcement by the Metropolitan Police
everything that is great about London, Service (MPS) and partners like Trading
they are vibrant and dynamic, innovative Standards to get dangerous individuals
and inspirational. We must ensure they and dangerous weapons off our streets.
have every opportunity to flourish and This includes greater Borough-led
make the most out of the wealth of activity to catch knife offenders and to
opportunities which London provides. deter anyone thinking of carrying a knife.
It includes new activity to target the
online sale of knives to young people,
which must be addressed.
T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
7
But we must not submit to a counsel of The Met are just one of many public
despair that some of our most troubled services in this city that have suffered
young people are beyond help. We will massive cuts, and we recognise
not give up on them. We will expand our the challenges also faced by local
work to reach out to those caught up authorities, criminal justice partners,
in crime and give them the skills, the health services and charitable sector
resources and the confidence to get out. partners. We know we cannot rely
on police, or even statutory services
No one person or organisation has alone, to respond to knife crime.
all the answers to knife crime, and we Communities, families, faith groups, the
embarked on producing this strategy media and cultural sectors; we all have
with a clear ambition to involve as many a responsibility to encourage young
organisations, groups, communities people to fulfil their potential and not to
and individuals as possible – bringing carry and use weapons.
together the expertise and passion of
people doing excellent work every day I am grateful to everyone who has taken
to keep young people safe. The tough part in the development of the Strategy,
funding situation for all organisations and I look forward to working together to
underlines the need for us to work deliver it.
together, making the most of what we
have at our disposal to make the biggest We must drive knife crime out of London.
difference we can for our children and Together, we can do it.
young people. The Met have already
reduced costs by nearly £600m since
2012-13 and the government’s current
funding settlement requires them to
reduce costs by roughly a further £400m
by 2020-21. I am working hard with
the Met to deliver this through greater
efficiency and minimise the impact on
front line officer numbers. But this is
becoming increasingly difficult. The
police service in London needs to be
properly funded and I am making this
case to Government.
T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
9 Knife Crime in London
T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
What do we mean by knife crime? How many knife crimes are there?
Who are the offenders and who are
Since 2008, knife crime has been the victims?
defined as any offence that satisfies
both of the following criteria: Knife crime is on the rise across the
country. In 2016, London (excluding the
• Is classified as an offence of City) accounted for around three in ten
homicide, attempted murder, recorded knife offences nationally. 1
assault with intent to cause harm, In the 12 months to March 2017, over
assault with injury, threats to kill, 12,000 knife crime offences were
sexual offences (including rape) recorded in London. 2 In 2016 knife crime
and robbery; across England and Wales rose by 14 per
cent, compared to 11 per cent in London.
• Where a knife or sharp instrument The majority of knife crimes in London
has been used to injure, used are related to street violence
as a threat, or the victim was and robbery.
convinced a knife was present KNIFE CRIME
during the offence. MPS recorded offences
April 2010 - March 2017
Knife possession offences have been
defined as: 13,332
14,171
12,122
• Having an article with blade 11,378
or point in a public place 10,079
9,691 9,743
(including school);
• Threatening with a blade or sharply
pointed article in a public place
(including school);
• Possession of offensive weapon;
• Using someone to look after FY 10-11 FY 11-12 FY 12-13 FY 13-14 FY 14-15 FY 15-16 FY 16-17
an offensive weapon;
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-
• Threatening with an crime-open-data-tables
offensive weapon.
2. Metropolitan Police Recorded Crime data 2016/17 with
comparisons to 2015/1611
Analysis of Metropolitan Police crime VIOLENCE WITH INJURY Knife crimes
data for 2016/17 indicates that 75 per where someone is injured as a result are
cent of victims of knife crime are male increasing across England and Wales. In
and frequently aged less than 25 years London, in the twelve months to March
of age. 3 Almost half of all victims of knife 2017 there were over 4,400 victims
crime were from BAME backgrounds. injured as a result of knife crime – from
Those recorded as black ethnicity slight injuries to serious, life threatening
represented one in five of all victims of wounds. This is an increase of over 750
knife crime in the last year. For offenders, victims compared to the preceding
almost ninety per cent were male and year, or 20.5 per cent. During this
of those, 62 per cent were from BAME period, 49 per cent of victims of knife
backgrounds. crime resulting in injury were aged 24
or younger. This represents over 2,000
HOMICIDE In 2016/17 there were 110 young people and an increase on the
homicides across the capital. Of these, preceding year of almost 25 per cent.
57 were identified as being fatal knife BAME young males are disproportionally
crimes. This includes seven which were affected, with 6 in 10 young male victims
domestic abuse related. The remaining recorded as from BAME backgrounds.
50 victims were almost exclusively male. More specifically, almost half of all young
Almost a third of all female victims of male victims of knife crime with injury
homicide were victims of fatal knife crime were of black ethnicity.
in the last year. For male victims this was
much higher, with 57 per cent of all male Those who commit knife crime with injury
victims of homicides being victims of are predominantly described as male and
fatal knife crime. frequently from a BAME background. 4
Of male offenders, over half were
Young BAME males were frequently the described as black males aged under
victims of non-domestic abuse related 25 years of age. It is also recognised
fatal knife crime in that period, with that there is a huge overlap between
almost half of all victims of non-domestic victims and offenders, and that they are
knife homicide being black males aged not always to separate groups. Likewise,
between 15 and 24 years of age. whilst ninety per cent of knife crime
offenders are male, 10% are female
and interventions and activity delivered
through the strategy must recognise the
3. MPS knife crime victims data 2016/17.
role of women and girls as offenders as
4. 2016/17 accused data shows that almost 88% of knife well as victims.
crime offenders who commit crime resulting in injury were male.
Of these, 65% were described as BAMET H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
13
POSSESSION of weapon offences have
also increased in the most recent period
across England and Wales. In 2016/17
there were approximately 4,000 crimes
recorded in London, representing an
increase of almost 23 per cent on the
preceding year. As possession offences
are often identified through police
activity targeting people suspected
of carrying a weapon, this may be an
indication of greater police activity
rather than an increasing prevalence in
this type of crime.
What do we mean
Why are people carrying and
by ‘habitual knife
using knives? carrier’?
The majority of research conducted A habitual knife carrier is
into weapon carrying has pointed to determined by the police as any
self-defence and protection 5 as a key individual that has come up at least
reason why young people carry knives. twice as a suspect on the Crime
Significantly, for people surveyed, Record Information System (CRIS)
protecting themselves from others for Possession of an Offensive
carrying weapons was considered to Weapon / Knife / Bladed Article or
outweigh the risk of being caught by a Knife Injury excluding Domestic
police. 6 However we also recognise that Abuse offence in the last two years.
the decision to carry or use weapons
is often more complex – in many cases AND;
knives are carried not for protection but
to intimidate others, to facilitate robbery, At least one of the above offences
to deliberately injure or kill or simply for is in the last 12 months unless this
the perceived power and status that the subject has been in prison for a
carrying of a weapon provides. period in the last 12 months.
5. Lemos, 2004; Squires et al.,2008
6. Broadhurst et al. (2008)T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
In May 2017, the Deputy Mayor for in order to protect themselves. Young
Policing and Crime met young offenders people are aware of the areas where
at HMP Isis who had collectively been they feel they will be at a greater risk
directly involved as both victims of being hurt and stated that they will
and offenders of knife related injury always choose to be “safe rather than
offences, discharging of a firearm and sorry” when asked if worried about being
other serious violent offences, and caught by the police.
were deemed to be amongst the most
prolific and high risk offenders within What is the relationship between gangs
Isis. Their view was that street robbery and knife crime?
was a key reason why young people
carry a knife; stating many young people Research 7 has shown a greater likelihood
are exposed either directly or through of carrying knives among gang members
the experiences of their peers to street compared to non-gang members, with a
robbery between the ages of 11 and 14. significant difference in the percentage
The statistics support this - Robbery – of people carrying knives between
Personal Property (42%) and Grievous these two groups. A review of survey
Bodily Harm (34%) offences continue to data from the New English and Welsh
be the highest recorded categories of Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-
Knife crime. This results in a perception ADAM) programme at various custody
of danger and risk amongst young suites across the country found highly
people and that they need to have a knife significant differences in weapon
7. McVie, 201015
“…when considering our responses to
knife crime in London, it is important
to understand that knife crime is much
more than just gang related activity.”
carrying between gang members As such, when considering our
and non-gang members, with a greater responses to knife crime in London,
tendency to carry weapons among it is important to understand that knife
gang members. crime is much more than just gang
related activity; focusing exclusively on
Recent data suggests that the majority gangs is not going to solve or adequately
of knife crime is not gang-related. Gang- impact on our knife crime challenges in
flagged crime accounted for 5% of all London; this Strategy also recognises
knife crime with injury during 2016 – that there has been a shift in offending
patterns with a renewed emergence
down from almost 9% in the preceding
of group related offending, a group of
year. However, gang-related knife crimes
individuals who cannot be classified
are usually of a more violent nature to
as being part of an organised group or
other knife related offending and that
gang. It should also be recognised that
young black and ethnic minority males gang and group violence is often linked
are disproportionately affected by more to drug markets, and that stabbings and
serious and violent forms of knife crime, knife crime can be asociated with the
where an injury has resulted from the control of drug supply both within and
offence. Statistics show that the victims beyond London. These changing trends
of serious, gang motivated knife crime in offending behaviour and patterns will
are predominantly male (92 per cent), continue to be monitored and responded
young (80 per cent under 25 years of to, whilst never losing sight of gang
age) and from a BAME background. related offending which continues to be
a key priority.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
Women, girls and knife crime
This strategy targets girls and young
women who carry and use knives
alongside their male counterparts.
However there are significant
proportions of knife crime which
affect women and girls in the context
of abuse and violence within the
home and interpersonal relationships.
The Mayor’s Violence Against Women
and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will address
acts of violence and harm perpetrated
in the context of domestic abuse and
other forms of VAWG which may involve
knife crime.
In December 2016, the Femicide Census
Report, published by Women’s Aid
analysed trends in women killed though
intimate partner violence over seven
years. The findings demonstrated that
women who experience domestic abuse
are at a significantly higher risk to knife
crime and, sadly, often within their own
homes. 8
We know that Domestic Abuse is vastly
under reported. Estimates based on
those interviewed in the Crime Survey
8. https://www.womensaid.org.uk/what-we-do/
campaigning-and-influencing/femicide-census/
for England and Wales during the year
ending March 2015 showed that around
9. https://www.ons.gov.uk/ 4 in 5 victims (79%) of partner abuse did
peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/
not report the abuse to the police. 9 This
bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwales/
yearendingmarch2016
implies that there are many unreported
knife crime incidents happening within
10. Police and Crime Plan 2017-2021 the home.17
In order to effectively bring perpetrators MOPAC and NHSE, along with partners,
of domestic abuse related knife crime to are using the findings from the
justice, there needs to be an adequate consultation for this Strategy and the
risk-assessment process that records Needs Assessment to explore future
the use of knives/sharp weapons in a commissioning of services to support
domestic violence incident and ensures victims of CSE.
there are significant consequences for
such action. MOPAC will work with the Delivery against these priority areas will
Crown Prosecution Service and the therefore sit outside of this strategic
judiciary to ensure that the severity of Knife Crime Strategy, which is targeted
threats of violence (typically with a knife) towards preventing and reducing knife
is taken into account when prosecuting crime affecting young Londoners.
perpetrators of domestic abuse, or when
considering criminal and civil court Knife crime and the
orders or restraining orders. Late Night Economy
Knife crime and The night time economy is a key driver of
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) economic and cultural regeneration and
a magnet for domestic and international
MOPAC and NHS England (London) visitors. Recent research shows that the
commissioned a Needs Assessment night time economy contributes £26.3bn
of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation to London’s annual GDP and supports 1
published in 2016 which aimed to in 8 jobs. 10 This figure is expected to rise
establish the level of CSE in London to £28.3bn by 2029.
and the scale of the need for support
services. Whilst the Needs Assessment Analysis of the locations of knife crime
did not identify the use of knives as a shows some cross over with areas linked
major issue in relation to CSE, it was to London’s night time economy, such
reported during the consultation for as areas in central London. However,
this strategy that there are increasing more work is needed to understand if
concerns with regards to the link these are directly linked or that this is
between sexual violence committed a key driver of knife offending. Through
by and against young people and further analysis we are seeking to gain
the increased carrying and use of a greater understanding of any impact
knives, putting young women at even knife crime has in areas related to the
greater risk. night time economy.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
19
What do Londoners think about In line with the findings of our research
knife crime? and consultation, this Strategy focuses
tackling non-domestic, high harm
Londoners are highly unlikely to be knife crime which is perpetrated
victims of knife crime, but knife crime against young people, under the age
affects us all, our sense of community of 25, targeting resources to our most
and our feelings of safety on our streets. vulnerable locations and Londoners; to
Findings from the MOPAC Public Attitude our geographical locations most at risk
Survey (FY 16/17) indicate that 19.7% of being affected by knife crime and to
of Londoners perceive knife crime to be those communities and Londoners most
a problem in their local area. Within this likely to be directly involved or impacted
there is borough variation – Waltham by knife crime.
Forest has the highest perceived
concern (34.9% view as a problem), while We also recognise that other weapons
Bromley has the lowest (4.8% view as a are used to cause harm. Firearms,
problem) 11. Younger respondents (under bottles, and even acid can be used as
25) are most likely to feel that knife crime a weapon, but we are also mindful that
is a problem in their area, while those the volume of harm caused by knives
over 65 are least likely to feel it is a in London is significant and so must be
problem. targeted and addressed. We will keep
this under review however, and should
it be necessary add to the delivery plan
for the strategy to incorporate other
weapons. This strategy aims to prevent
violence overall – no matter what the
weapon of choice might be.
11. The MOPAC Public Attitude Survey is a large scale representative
survey of London, interviewing 12,800 Londoners per annum.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
21 Developing and delivering this Strategy
T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
The challenges in delivering this strategy The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime,
cannot be overstated and even with all supported by MOPAC, will continue
the powers of the Mayor and the police, to provide robust scrutiny of the MPS
knife crime will not reduce without all responses to knife crime, driving
partners and communities in London forward performance and holding the
pulling together to make changes and Commissioner to account through her
improvements. Arresting, sentencing, regular oversight meetings with the MPS.
and even rehabilitating offenders will
not stop knives being accessible on the Strategic risks of both MOPAC and the
streets and nor will it stop young people MPS receive scrutiny and challenge from
making the choice to carry and knife the independent MOPAC/MPS Audit
for the first time. For long term change Panel. The Audit Panel is responsible for
we need parents and families, schools enhancing public trust and confidence in
and youth groups, and communities MOPAC and the MPS.
to come together to discourage and
prevent knife carrying, as well as the Convening
media, businesses and other influencers
to do their part to make spaces where Partnership is central to the delivery of
young people spend their time – online, this strategy – no one organisation has
at school, town centres, outdoors and at the ability to solve the problem of knife
home – safe. crime alone. The Mayor has a unique
convening power in London. Agencies in
Oversight the criminal justice sector and beyond
look to the Mayor to provide leadership
The Mayor is responsible for agreeing and to bring organisations together to
the Police and Crime Plan for London, strengthen partnerships. In tackling knife
agreeing the MPS budget and overseeing crime, we are using this power to bring
the performance of the MPS. He together all of our partners
delegates most of these powers to the
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, who We convene partners at the London
is supported in her work by the Mayor’s Crime Reduction Board to drive joint
Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). working with the most senior officers23
from across the Criminal Justice Service
and to influence key strategy decisions.
Where we need to, we will challenge
partners, advocate and call for action on
A multi-agency
priority issues to make sure we get the
best services for Londoners.
partnership
This Strategy has been developed
approach
in close co-operation with the MPS, Recognising that there was
partner agencies and communities. little support available for young
We’ve consulted and surveyed hundreds victims of crime, The Lewisham
of young people, professionals, and Young Victims’ Multi-Agency Risk
community partners to inform the Assessment Conference (Youth
commitments. We have had a particular MARAC) was established in May
focus on ensuring the strategy is 2009 to increase young people’s
informed by the ‘youth voice’, and as confidence and trust in key
such we hosted specific events to agencies. Facilitating multi-agency
target young people, including a youth information sharing fora and action
roundtable event, workshops with planning to protect young
young offenders in HMP Isis prison, and people at risk of harm, the project
those on community orders under the presents a pioneering approach
supervision of youth offending teams, in to supporting and protecting young
addition to a Big Talk event with young victims of crime.
people. We’ve surveyed 400 young
people in the areas most affected by This work has been developed
knife crime in London and also used the further and Lewisham now operates
findings from over 700 16-24 year olds both a Serious Youth Crime
who were surveyed in the Talk London Prevention Panel (SYCPP) and a
survey in the development of the Police Missing Exploited and Trafficked
and Crime Plan. (MET) process.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
Participants in the consultation include: Leap Confronting Conflict, Redthread,
St. Giles Trust, Catch 22, LVSC, Box Up
The MPS, The Crown Prosecution Crime, the SOLA Foundation, the Prince’s
Service, HM Prisons and Probation Trust, Hyde Housing, Spark 2 Life, Hoxton
Service, HM Courts and Tribunals Hall, Misunderstood, Lewisham Council,
Service, the London Community Transport for London, Southwark
Rehabilitation Company, London Council, Camden Council, Shout
Councils, the Home Office, the Ministry Out UK, Kiyan Prince Foundation,
of Justice, NHS England, the London Fire Ofsted, Ben Kinsella Trust, ChildLine,
Brigade, Victim Support, London Heads Word 4 Weapons, Josh Hanson Trust,
of Community Safety, Trading Standards, MAC UK, Parent Voice, Evolve Housing,
the Youth Justice Board, London Head Fight for Peace, The Flavasum Trust,
teachers, Vicky Foxcroft MP, Ofsted, the Rise Empowerment, Cherry Tree
London Assembly, the London Stop and Foundation, Working Chance, Gangs
Search Community Network, Stopwatch, Line, Mother, Jags Foundation, Anti Knife
Safer Neighbourhood Boards, City Safe UK, Inspired Futures, Lambeth Council,
Havens, New Beginnings, Ganglines, Edmonton County School.
Chance UK, Growing Against Violence,
London Youth, the Godwin Lawson Inclusion and involvement are at the
Foundation, Groundwork, St Matthew’s heart of our approach to our work,
Project Brixton, Hackney Quest, and we will continue to engage with
Bankside Residents Forum, Football communities and stakeholders, building
Beyond Borders, Coin Street Community relationships and working together to rid
Builders, the Crib, Barnardos, Leaders our city of knife crime.
in Community, Rugby Portobello Trust,
the Safer London Foundation, the Oasis
Trust, Gang Conflict Mediation, Young
Lambeth, Gascoyne and Morningside
Youth Clubs, the Damilola Taylor
Foundation, South Central Youth, Epic
Learning, Edukit, Educational Excellence,25
Delivery This new London Crime Prevention
Fund settlement is awarded according
MOPAC commissions a range of services, to the greatest need across London’s
and provides funding and support to Boroughs, with a new emphasis on
a wide range of crime reduction and ensuring every Londoner has the
community safety projects in London. access to the services they need to
help support them and keep them safe,
For the first time, the Mayor’s funding in line with the principles of the Police
for victims’ services across the capital, and Crime Plan. Furthermore, some
previously provided on an annual basis, funds will be redirected to support
has been allocated for three years joint commissioning of services across
to provide longer-term support. The Boroughs, helping to facilitate the
investment of £47 million over the provision of specialist services that
Police and Crime Plan period will help need a greater economy of scale than
improve current work and commission can be provided by one Borough alone.
new services, including developing a Local Authorities are core partners in
collaborative ‘one-service’ approach the development of this new funding
rather than the current system which pot, which accounts for 30 per cent of
sees a victim or witness dealing with a the LCPF budget from 2018/19 onwards.
confusing number of different agencies. This Strategy is backed by a further
Within this funding, £2m has been investment of £625k by the Mayor,
allocated to increase support for taking the total spending by the Mayor’s
young victims of crime - including knife Office for Policing and Crime on knife
crime - and their families. The change and gang crime projects to more than
in funding delivery will allow flexibility £7m per year.
for MOPAC to respond to changing
demands and deliver the Mayor’s Across all our commissioning for this
commitments to do more in areas Strategy, we will take a trauma-informed
including restorative justice. and culturally competent approach,
and we will be ensuring that service
Through the London Crime Prevention users and young people are engaged.
Fund, the Mayor has committed £72m Importantly, we will continue our grip
over the Police and Crime Plan period on ensuring we secure genuine value
to support projects across London for money. We want to be assured that
dedicated to preventing crime, including the taxes paid by Londoners are being
£5m spent on projects tackling youth used as efficiently as possible. We
crime, gang crime, and knife crime. will continue to make this happen with
rigorous funding application processes
and robust contract management.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
27
Taking action
01 . TARG E T IN G L AW BR E A K E RS
02 . O F F E R IN G WAYS O UT O F CRI M E
03 . KE E P IN G DE A DLY W E A PONS O FF OU R STRE E T S
04 . P ROT E CT IN G A N D E DUCATI NG YOU NG PEO PLE
05 . STA N DIN G W IT H C O M M U NI TI E S, NE I G HB OU RHOODS
AND FA M IL IE S AG A IN ST K NI FE CRI M E
06 . SU P PO RT IN G V ICT IM S OF K NI FE CRI M ET H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y “Our fight against knife crime is ingrained in our neighbourhood policing and runs through everything we do. From our diversion schemes, and gang enforcement, to our protection of vulnerable people and our partnership with schools.“ Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
29
TARGE T I NG L AW BR E A K E R S : The Deputy Mayor for Policing and
POLICING Crime, supported by MOPAC, will
continue to provide robust scrutiny
As we have seen with the recent of the MPS responses to knife crime,
tragic events in London, the demand driving forward performance and holding
for an efficient, dynamic and responsive the Commissioner to account, as well as
police service in the capital has never bringing together the partnerships that
been greater, and community policing are needed to support the police.
is the foundation of all our efforts to
protect our city. There is no substitute Operational activity
for visible officers out on the beat in
neighbourhoods. They are the eyes In the Police and Crime Plan 2017-2021,
and ears of policing – helping to detect we set out the key issues that cause the
and prevent crime, and build trust greatest harm in our society – including
and confidence. youth violence and knife crime - as
mandatory priorities to go alongside
Vital to our mission of making London the locally agreed priorities that local
a safer city for all, is ensuring that police and councils are now working
the Metropolitan Police Service has towards in each Borough. Going further,
the funding it needs. As a result of every Borough is now developing a local
government funding reductions, the MPS Knife Crime Strategy, led by the MPS
has made £600m in savings since 2010, and involving partner organisations. This
and has a further £400m to save over the ensures that pressure on the possession
next four years. This will be extremely and use of knives is felt across the
challenging. The Mayor and MOPAC city, whilst retaining the local flexibility
continue to lobby the Government for needed by the MPS and local authorities
the funding the Metropolitan Police to make the right decisions for their area.
Service needs to keep our growing,
global city safe. Operation Sceptre, the MPS’ intensive
response to knife crime and violence,
Effective policing plays a critical role is increasing in frequency, from
in the partnership response to tackling bimonthly to monthly. Sceptre brings
knife crime, and the Commissioner together a wide range of resources
has signalled her commitment that a to target priority areas with activities
determined effort to tackle knife and gun including weapons sweeps, targeted
violence will be the hallmark of her term stop and search of known prolific knife
in office. She has the full support of this carriers, test purchasing and plain-
Mayoralty in seeking to make our clothes policing operations.
streets safer.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
Sceptre makes a difference - in May In Brent for example, this will provide
2017 Operation Sceptre involved in an additional six officers in 2017-18
excess of 1,800 such activities and focused on knife crime, gang and youth
seized 380 knives, 17 firearms and 75 related violence and diversion, delivering
offensive weapons. The MPS made the Safer Brent priorities. In other
500 arrests in that week including 112 London boroughs, where s92 officers
knife related arrests, of whom 33 were have been funded for other purposes,
Habitual Knife Carriers. MOPAC will be flexible and responsive
to requests from local authorities to use
Supporting the work of Sceptre, the these to tackle knife crime locally.
MPS is also deploying 80 officers,
both in uniform and plain clothing, into Neighbourhood Policing
high knife crime borough hot spots,
including ‘super recognisers’ to aid in the The Police and Crime Plan sets out
identification of key offenders. our ambition to restore neighbourhood
policing and putting Dedicated Ward
The MPS is working with a range of Officers (DWOs) and PCSOs – who know
agencies to target activity around the and are known to the communities they
non-licensed venues that are hotspots serve – back at the heart of policing in
for knife crime or at risk of being so. London. As the Mayor has set out in
This will focus officers on high-harm the Police and Crime Plan, there will
wards with evening patrols in ‘hot spot’ be one PCSO and two Police Officers
areas, but also tackle ‘problem venues’ dedicated to every one of the 629 wards
with law enforcement on health and in London – this commitment has already
safety, trading standards, licensing been met in terms of the PCSOs, whilst
planning enforcement, fire safety and the vast majority of the Police Officers
anti-social behaviour. are also in post.
In addition, the MPS will work with We will work with the MPS to deliver a
councils, Business Improvement Districts policing service that is better equipped
and Safer Neighbourhood partnerships to deal with knife crime locally, across
to reduce alcohol and drug-related crime the city and online, strengthening
in locally identified areas, for example by neighbourhood policing, giving
using ‘section 92’ officers in MetPatrol Boroughs a say in local policing and
Plus schemes. Section 92 officers are crime priorities, and transforming the
additional police constables who are way the organisation works to ensure it
funded by local authorities in a ‘buy-one- is equipped to deal with 21st-century
get-one-free’ agreement with the MPS. policing needs.31
Stop and Search
We support the targeted, intelligence-
led use of stop and search in the fight
against rising levels of knife crime in
Stop and search –
London. Stop and search is a vital tool for
our police, and it can save lives. Findings
the statistics
from MOPAC’s Public Attitude Survey Over 31 per cent of all stops and
indicate that the majority of Londoners searches carried out by the MPS
also support the use of Stop and Search result in a positive outcome, up
(74% of Londoners agree with the use from 13 per cent in 2012 – showing
of Stop and Search) – although within that officers are making better
this younger groups are less positive use of intelligence to target their
and the quality of the encounter is stops more effectively. A positive
critical. In a survey commissioned for outcome for Stop and Search is
this strategy, 12 58% of young people and anything other than NFA (no further
young adults agreed that increased stop action). Illegal objects are found in
and search would reduce knife crime, 27 per cent of searches, and over
whilst 28% disagreed. 3,000 arrests are made for weapons
each year from stop and search
However, it is an intrusive tactic, and alone.
striking a balance between keeping
people safe and maintaining the trust The Met publishes monthly data
and confidence our communities on stop and search which the
requires constant review and careful Community Monitoring Network
consideration. Misused, it can lead to and local Community Monitoring
increased community tensions and Groups can review such as volumes,
mistrust of the police, undermining arrest rates, proportionality and
attempts to encourage communities to complaints. The MPS have also
come forward and report crimes. introduced a Stops Dashboard
which provides more localised
It is important that MPS officers feel and detailed reports for
confident to use their judgement and community scrutiny.
exercise their powers to stop and
search where they feel it necessary. We
want officers to feel that they have the
knowledge and training to help them to
12. Survey conducted in Croydon, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets and
Southwark, n= 413T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
33
make the right decisions about when We will continue to consult and engage
to carry out a stop and how to do it. with communities to understand their
Intelligence-led use of these powers views on the use of stop and search.
means that, at times and places of Consistent local oversight of stop
higher concern, where public safety is at and searches is provided through the
increased risk, the number of stops and Community Monitoring Network (CMN),
section 60 orders may go up. At times the MOPAC forum that draws together
of lower concern, where intelligence the local stop and search Community
indicates a reduced level of risk, the Monitoring Groups (CMGs) from each
number may go down. We will support London Borough. The CMGs are made up
the MPS in rolling out judgement training of independent volunteers who scrutinise
for officers, enabling them to experience and hold the police to account on the
and practice their decision-making in use of stop and search powers in their
a range of different scenarios. We will areas. To support the accountability and
also work with our communities and transparency into the use of stop and
police colleagues to review the use and search and section 60 powers, the MPS
authorisation of section 60, allowing now publish this activity on a publically
officers to be more responsive in the accessible dashboard on a Borough by
aftermath of a critical incident. Borough basis.
Balancing that support for greater
professional judgement is greater Q
accountability. Body-worn video, which WH AT ’ S SECTION 60?
will be rolled out across the MPS by the
end of 2017, provides a new level of Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and
accountability and transparency for all Public Order Act 1994 allows a police
parties involved in a stop and search, officer to stop and search a person
and is already demonstrating real value, without suspicion in an area which
reducing complaints, providing better has been authorised by a senior officer
evidence for court cases and supporting of Commander rank. This power
officer training. can only be authorised where there
is a reasonably held belief that serious
violence will take place. Between June
2016 and May 2017, 442 searches
were conducted by the MPS under
Section 60 powers.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
We have contributed to the current
consultation being undertaken by the
Young people and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC)
on out of court disposals, asking that
police training when a stop and search has been
executed and when the individual has
good practice – been found to be in possession of a
knife, police cautions are no longer
Hackney Stop and considered to be a viable option;
ensuring that tough criminal sanctions
Search group are taken against serious offenders, and
only where appropriate, which will be in
In Hackney, a Stop and Search very limited circumstances - making use
group for young people holds the instead of conditional cautions to ensure
Met to account about stop and that some rehabilitative or restorative
search practice in Hackney. The intervention takes place where it may
young people in the group have prevent a young person from going on
undertaken four days training to to more serious offending.
support their work, and used this to
produce a DVD called ‘Search Me’ Gangs and knife crime
which is used to help train officers
and members of the community in
As committed in the Mayor’s Police
stop and search good practice.
and Crime Plan, we are reviewing the
The trained young people are also MPS approach to gang related crime,
tasked with planning community including reviewing the Gangs Matrix,
events called “Build Up” which which identifies the most violent gang
is aimed at improving dialogue members in London and supports the
between young people and the MPS to tackle gang crime, gun crime
police. Events have included and knife crime in London. We are also
football matches, role play and working with the MPS Trident and Area
sports days with local officers. Crime Command and other partner
can review such as volumes, agencies to strengthen the identification
of young people who are at risk of
serious violence, whether perpetrators
or victims. It is intended that this work
will also enable the MPS to target
enforcement activity more effectively.35
The Trident and Area Crime Command Operation Teal is the MPS response to
works to tackle gang crime in London serious gang, gun and knife violence,
through enforcement, suppression, and is now a permanent part of Trident.
proactive policing and working with The Met Control Centre now has a Teal
partners to prevent offending and representative permanently in place to
build safer communities. Their work monitor intelligence and incidents in live
covers the investigation of all non-fatal time and co-ordinate and task police
shootings and other serious crimes assets in response.
where the victim or suspect is on the
Gangs Matrix and the crime is believed Criminal exploitation and knife carrying
to be associated with a gang. Trident
coordinates action to reduce gang The criminal exploitation and violence
crime in target boroughs through the that is part of ‘County Lines’ is
Trident Central Gangs Unit, and tackles highlighted within the Police and
the most harmful and prolific Organised Crime Plan 2017-21. This includes
Criminal Networks through the London children and young people coerced
Crime Squad. into carrying knives and other criminal
activities on behalf of the gang. As part
Their work is also preventative: the of our work, MOPAC will be looking
Trident Community Engagement team to develop, in partnership with key
works in partnership to safeguard young delivery agencies inside and outside
people from being drawn into gang of London, a comprehensive approach
crime, visiting schools and liaising with aimed at reducing the harm to vulnerable
dedicated schools officers, offering individuals, tackling the supply and
support for those wishing to exit from distribution of drugs and ensuring that
gangs, or delivering conflict resolution those responsible for harm face the
programmes. We will strengthen this consequences of their actions, including
work through a project underway to coming face to face with the harm they
identify and address issues of particular have caused through a restorative
vulnerability amongst young Londoners, justice process. We will support the
including ongoing operational work on MPS to undertake police operations in
‘County Lines’ drug dealing (the practice partnership with county forces, which
of gangs from large metropolitan areas both enforce against the gangs and
developing drug markets in surrounding the organisers and aim to utilise
towns and counties, in which children, legislation to enforce against gangs
women or vulnerable people are and organised criminal networks that
exploited by criminals to deliver drugs profit from this practice.
to and from other areas).T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
37
TARGE T I NG L AW BR E A K E R S : The Victim Personal Statement (VPS)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE gives victims a voice in the criminal
justice process by. The VPS is a written
The whole Criminal Justice Service has or oral statement presented to the court
a vital role to play in the fight against at the time of sentencing created as an
knife crime – through tough community opportunity for the judge to understand
sentencing, tough punishment for how a crime has affected the victim and
persistent offenders and rehabilitation. their families. It is unacceptable that
sentencing decisions are being made
We recognise that many young people without all the possible information
carry knives out of fear. But there are available, and we will work with courts
also those who carry knives with the and probation services to push for a
aim of committing crime; to harm and commitment to ensure that Pre-Sentence
intimidate others, to protect drug Reports (PSR’s) and Victim Personal
markets, to commit robbery or make Statements (VPS’s) are completed for
threats, even to murder. Our message at least 90% of knife related offences,
to our communities must be clear and helping to ensure that offenders receive
consistent – whatever the reason, sentences and requirements which
carrying a knife in London will not be are better targeted at addressing their
tolerated and when caught, there will offending behavior, sentences which are
never be just ‘a slap on the wrist’. in line with sentencing guidelines and
that the victim’s voice has been heard.
Supporting better
sentencing decisions This supports the Sentencing Council’s
view that sentencing of youths and
Pre-Sentence Reports (PSR) provide young adults should be much more
critical information that helps make focused on the individual offender
sure that offenders are sentenced than when sentencing adults; and that
appropriately, yet we are seeing knife all offender-specific factors are
related offences being sentenced considered before determining the most
without a PSR. Equally, we are seeing appropriate sentence, as well as better
offences being sentenced without a protecting communities.
Victim Personal Statement (VPS).T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
Providing better sentencing options police to use this information for crime
mapping, providing information on an
Despite the significance of the knife offender’s location at a specific date and
crime challenge in London, none of time to identify whether they could have
the community sentencing options been at the scene of a crime. In addition
available to courts are currently targeted to a review of available enforcement
specifically towards those who carry measures and greater use of Electronic
knives or other weapons. This must Monitoring, we want to build on this
be addressed, and we will work with innovative pilot and test the use of
the London Community Rehabilitation GPS tagging technology for offenders
Company (CRC), National Probation who are released on licence following
Service (NPS), courts and others to a custodial sentence for a knife related
develop a new, targeted community offence and for knife related community
sentence requirement for those orders, lobbying for secondary
convicted of knife possession, which can legislation if required.
be used on top of jail time and traditional
sentencing where appropriate. The overarching ambition of this strategy
is for young Londoners to feel safer,
MOPAC recently launched a GPS and to protect those who are vulnerable
tagging pilot which uses satellite and in order to do this we have to
tagging technology to monitor the ensure that those who break the law
capital’s most prolific offenders, the first receive sentences in accordance with
scheme of its kind in the UK. The pilot the severity and impact of their crimes.
means that Magistrates in eight London In light of feedback we have received
boroughs can now order the wearing from young people about the lack of
of GPS tags as part of a community awareness of the consequences of knife
or suspended sentence. This is not crime; we have asked the Sentencing
constant surveillance - the tags gather Council to also consider the role that
data to monitor an offender’s compliance they could play in raising awareness
with their court order or bail conditions, amongst young people regarding the
alerting probation officers if these consequences of knife crime and what
are breached. This includes entering further consultation could take place
an exclusion zone or failing to attend with young people regarding sentencing
mandated appointments. For the first guidelines in the future.
time, the use of GPS tags will enable the39
Rehabilitation Tough consequences for
persistent offenders
Effective rehabilitation of offenders by
the Criminal Justice Service must also We support Section 28 of and Schedule
make a significant contribution to crime 5 to the Criminal Justice and Courts Act
reduction. By stopping repeat offending 2015, which created a rule commonly
will we protect young people and reduce known as ‘two strikes and you’re out’,
knife crime. There is currently very which is a minimum custodial sentence
limited provision for offenders to address for those aged 16 and over who are
weapon use for both adults and young convicted of a second or subsequent
people within the custodial estate and in offence of possession of a knife or
the community. offensive weapon. The minimum
custodial sentence for 16 and 17 year
Through the consultation for this olds is at least a four month detention
strategy it is clear that there is no clear and training order and for adults over
picture of how many young people under the age of 18, a mandatory minimum
the supervision of youth offending sentence of 6 months.
services in London are there as a result
of an offence involving a weapon, and Nine in ten repeat knife crime offenders
who might be attending the Knife Crime were adults of which over half received
Prevention Programme which has been an immediate custodial sentence, 96%
adapted by Youth Offending Teams of those adult offenders who received
(YOT) across the capital and is delivered an immediate custodial sentence had
inconsistently across different areas. pleaded guilty and received an average
Nor is it clear what the impact of this sentence length of 7 months; this was
programme is on young people and their almost 12 months for those pleading
offending. This is an unacceptable gap in not guilty. Where repeat offenders were
our response to young offenders and we aged 16 or 17, 45% of these received a
will press the Youth Justice Board (YJB) community sentence and 47% received
to get a clear picture. an immediate custodial sentence with an
average sentence length of 6 months.
We will also work with partners to explore
better use of restorative justice and
mediation where appropriate, working
with families and communities to address
knife crime and make amends.T H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
Youths are far less likely to receive an We are targeting lawbreakers by:
immediate custodial sentence (11%
compared to 37% for adults) Over half of • Ensuring that all Borough Commanders
youths received community sentences work with their Community Safety
instead, cautions were also used more Partnerships (CSPs) to have in place
frequently for youths than adults.The local knife crime plans that will drive
reoffending rates for these community activity using Borough resources
sentences and cautions are high and and to ensure that focused work is
need to be improved. For example, the undertaken with communities and
partnerships to ensure a coordinated
reoffending rate for people given court
response.
orders in London is 31 per cent, and the
reoffending rate for those given fines • Supporting the police in using all
32%. The proven reoffending rate for of their powers and increasing the
juveniles for possession of offensive frequency of Operation Sceptre
weapons in London was 36%, compared weeks of action, providing concerted
to a rate of 33% for all of England and enforcement activity in knife crime
Wales. 13 We will use our oversight role hot spots, using tactics including
to hold the Criminal Justice Service visible patrolling; plain clothes officers;
to account for adhering to sentencing intelligence-led stop and search;
guidelines around knife possession and and targeting known prolific knife
offenders;
offending, ensuring progress, and we
will provide greater transparency and • Establishing a specialist MPS team of
accountability by publishing data on 80 officers, plain clothes and uniform,
knife crime and sentencing outcomes for to carry out targeted crime prevention
knife crime. and enforcement in knife crime hot
spots;
• Reviewing the MPS Gangs Matrix,
which identifies the most violent gang
members in London, and strengthen
the identification of young people
who are involved in serious violence,
whether perpetrators or victims;
13. Ministry of Justice – Proven reoffending overview data • Continuing to support the delivery
tool (July 14 – June 15) www.gov.uk/governement/statistics/ of training for police officers and the
proven-reoffending-statistics-july-2014-to-june-2015
use of intelligence-led use of stop41
and search which is responsive to the attending the Knife Crime Prevention
challenges on our streets, keeping Programme, to establish how effective
people safe whilst also maintaining this programme is at addressing
the trust and confidence of our young people’s use of knives and
communities; if necessary, work with partners to
replace it with something better.
• Strengthening the work of the MPS
Trident and Area Crime Command • Working with the MPS to ensure
to identify and address issues of that police cautions are no longer
particular vulnerability amongst young considered to be a viable option for
Londoners, including work on ‘County knife possession offences. To support
Lines’ drug dealing, where vulnerable this, we will review the available
people are exploited by criminals to enforcement measures.
deliver drugs to and from other areas;
• Pushing for a commitment by all
• Working with the London Community relevant Criminal Justice Service
Rehabilitation Company (CRC), National partners to ensure that on the day
Probation Service (NPS), Youth Justice Pre-Sentence Reports (PSR’s) are
Board (YJB), Youth Offending Services completed for at least 90% of knife
(YOS), courts and others to develop related offences which go through
a new, targeted community sentence our courts;
requirement for those convicted of
• Pushing for a commitment by all
knife possession which offer support
relevant Criminal Justice Service
to the offender to exit offending
partners to ensure that Victim Personal
behaviour.
Statements (VPS) are included for at
• Making more use of electronic least 90% of knife related offences
monitoring (where appropriate) and which go through the courts;
lobbying for GPS technology to be
• Working with the Sentencing Council
used on offenders serving community
and National Police Chiefs Council to
sentences, or released on license
ensure appropriate sentences and
following a knife related offence;
sentence guidance for knife crime
• Working with the Youth Justice offences
Board to establish how many young
• Publishing data on the commission and
people under the supervision of
sentencing of knife crime offences.
youth offending services in London
are there as a result of an offence
involving a weapon, and who might beT H E LO N D O N K N I F E C R I M E S T R AT E G Y
43
O F F E RI NG WAYS O UT O F C R IM E Working with prisons is a new area of
focus when responding specifically to
There is no excuse for criminality, knife related offending. Whilst prisons
but we know that the factors that play an important role in removing
drive young people into violence are dangerous offenders from communities,
often complex and powerful. Many we wanted to know if our stakeholders
offenders have been exposed to criminal thought they could be doing more. At
behaviour throughout their lives, and the Mayor’s Knife Crime Summit, 55% of
many have been victims of serious the audience believed that prisons had
crime themselves. There are others a key role in rehabilitating offenders of
who are coerced from an early age into knife crime. Acting on this feedback, we
committing crime. Many perpetrators will place a renewed focus on what more
have support needs around mental can be done to rehabilitate offenders in
health, drugs and alcohol, education and custody but also to look at what more
employability. can be done to tackle knife related
offences within our secure estates.
Regardless of their circumstances and Currently, Violence With Injury (VWI)
their past behaviour, carrying a knife offences within our secure estates
or using a weapon is never a foregone are on the increase, with the majority
conclusion – and nor is it acceptable - for of weapons in secure estates being
any young Londoner. improvised bladed articles which have
been produced by offenders for the sole
The MOPAC funded London Gang purpose of inflicting injury and protection
Exit (LGE) Service is helping to divert and whilst creatively made, are more than
vulnerable young people out of serious capable of causing a fatality.
offending, bringing together partner
agencies to provide a comprehensive The Chrysalis project, funded by the
package of support around health, National Offender Management Service
education, housing and employment. (NOMS), the Youth Justice Board for
We will continue to fund this service and England and Wales (YJB) and supported
will look to strengthen it further as a by MPS policing contribution through
means of diverting at-risk young people the Mayor’s Office for Policing and
out of gang crime. Early findings from Crime, has been put in place to support
completed cases 14 indicate that 75% of some of these challenges and has been
LGE clients engage in gang exit activity running in HMP Isis since September
and reduce or cease involvement in 2013. Following the extension of the pilot
gangs and 68% of engage in activity to in February 2016, Trident officers are
address offending behaviour and report working in both HMP Isis and HMP & YOI
a reduction in offending. Feltham A & B.You can also read
