Met launches stop-and-search drive against knives after clash with Theresa May

The Met has launched new measures to tackle knife crime despite the Home Secretary's curb on stop-and-search
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Justin Davenport26 October 2015

Scotland Yard launched new “targeted” stop-and-search action in London today in the latest drive against rising knife crime.

The move comes after a clash between Home Secretary Theresa May and Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe over the use of stop-and-search powers.

Last week Mrs May accused Sir Bernard of a “knee-jerk reaction” after he said increasing knife crime in London was linked to her curb on the number of stop-and-searches.

Today, despite her comments, the Met launched a week-long action to tackle stabbings using a key tactic of “focused” stop-and-searches in gang-ridden neighbourhoods.

Thousands of officers are to take part in a week-long drive, codenamed Operation Sceptre, planned in advance of last week’s speech by the Home Secretary. Officers will also carry out checks on shops and online stores selling knives to children amid concern over gangs arming themselves with so-called “zombie slayer” weapons.

The operation is the second week-long blitz on knives launched by the Met this year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Southworth, head of the Trident Gang Crime Command, said: “Our summer operation had a significant impact, with more than 900 knives recovered and over 270 arrests.

“For this reason we are running a second tranche to coincide with half-term, where we will again be looking to reduce the number of knives in circulation. We have a number of operations planned throughout the capital, including activity to target known offenders, focused and intelligence-led stop-and-search and weapon sweeps in areas where intelligence suggests offenders are hiding knives in public areas to avoid being caught in possession of them.”

The action comes as a 23-year-old man is fighting for life in hospital today after being stabbed in Hackney on Saturday night. Another two men are also recovering in hospital after stabbings in Twickenham early today.

Last year there was a 21 per cent rise in the number of knife injuries to mainly men under the age of 25. Mr Southworth said: “The whole aim of this operation is to try and stem the number of knives available to young people on the streets.

“The first Sceptre operation was launched in July at a time when knife crime was rising by 20 per cent year on year. We have got that increase down to eight per cent but the idea of this week’s operation is to keep the momentum going. We are co-ordinating a number of actions on a big scale for the first time.”

The detective defended the use of targeted stop-and-search, saying it was “absolutely vital” to target knife crime.

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