More than one 999 call every day about stab attacks

 
Sophie Goodchild7 November 2013
WEST END FINAL

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The London Ambulance Service is dealing with more than one 999 call a day involving a stabbing.

The latest data shows that it handled 381 emergency calls involving knife attacks over the last year. For the last five years, the total reached nearly 2,472 incidents.

However, the true figure could be a lot higher as the LAS said it relied on how incidents were initially reported.

The figure will heighten concerns about gang violence in London, although the total is a fall from 505 five years ago. It comes after a triple stabbing in the capital. One man died, another was left fighting for his life and third suffered stab injuries outside a west London club on Sunday. Detectives have questioned two people. The LAS figures are based on actual calls, and each alert to their call centre can involve more than one victim.

A spokeswoman also highlighted the fact that stabbing victims may make their own way to hospital rather than calling an ambulance.

Jason Killens, LAS director of operations, said: “Stabbings can be among the most challenging calls for our staff to respond to. And they see first-hand the impact it can have on friends and families of patients.

“We also have staff who visit schools, youth groups and young offenders’ centres to talk to youngsters about the dangers of carrying a knife and the damage it can lead to.”

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