The recent spate of knife crime in the London boroughs is a matter of grave concern and worrying to the public at large and the parents of teenager who are either the victims or the perpetrators of this hideous crime. The most crimes are committed by teenagers who are either a part of a gang or individuals. Although it is prevalent in a certain section of the community but it could spread to other communities also. This culture of knife carrying has to be stopped by instituting preventive measures.
Operation Sceptre was launched in July 2015 with the aim of reducing knife crime and the number families affected by knife crime across the whole of London and seeks to target not only those who carry and use knives, but also the supply, access and importation of weapons.
In addition to enforcement activity, officers from the Trident & Area Crime Command created and deliver four educational packages to young people in schools across London.
The packages aim to help young people think about the decisions they make, and the consequences of their actions with the aim of deterring them from joining gangs and getting into a life of crime.
Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, responsible for Territorial Policing, said: “We are concerned about the rise of gun crime and rise of knife crime offences committed by young people and the changing nature of the offenders. Young people carrying knives are doing so for a variety of reasons including status, criminality and self-protection but only around a quarter are affiliated with gangs. There are complex social reasons why more young people are carrying knives and this cannot be solved by the police alone, we must work with communities to help combat knife crime.“
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, has urged more schools to use knife wands to crack down on knife crime.
It is a shame young innocent lives are lost unnecessarily, when they had so much to live for and contribute to the society. This has to stop.
Baldev Sharma
Rayners Lane, Harrow
