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Defeating knife crime
• AS the Metropolitan Police Authority link member for Islington, I very much welcome the guilty verdict in the Ben Kinsella trial. Although knife crime in London has gone down, we are still reminded of its tragic consequences too often.
As a member of the local community safety board, I have worked closely with the Met to help bring the numbers down further. Just over a year ago, Operation Blunt 2 was launched to tackle violence among young people. The results so far have been impressive. Since May last year, 5,748 knives have been recovered; knife crime across London has gone down by 11.5 per cent; and 90 per cent of those caught in possession of a knife have been charged. Last month, the biggest intelligence-led operation under Blunt 2 resulted in 140 arrests over 24 hours.
However, police officers are unable to tackle knife crime alone and real success can only be achieved with the support of communities. Islington organisations such as the Light Project and St Mary’s Youth Club play a vital role in getting communities involved. Their campaigns to create community cohesion and to give young people a platform to express their concerns deserve our full support.
JENNETTE ARNOLD
London Assembly Labour member for Islington
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