Government extends knife crime initiative

21 September 2026

The success of initiatives designed to drive down knife crime gives further proof of the need for significant and sustained investment in policing, says the chair of West Midlands Police Federation.

Jess Davies was responding after the Government announced that targeted crackdowns have reduced knife robberies by almost a quarter in seven forces since June 2024.

West Midlands Police is one of the forces involved, along with the Metropolitan Police and the Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset and British Transport Police forces.

Expansion

In a further expansion of the scheme, more than 230 areas most affected by knife crime will see more police patrols, CCTV and early prevention work as part of a knife crime crackdown across 27 police forces in England and Wales.

“Each and every day our officers are seeing the impact on knife crime on the communities they serve so we welcome the success achieved in the first seven force areas and particularly here in the West Midlands,” says Jess, “Let’s hope that the expansion of the scheme to more force areas sees this success replicated.”

And she added: “The outcome of these targeted initiatives gives further weight to the Federation’s calls for significant and sustained investment in policing. If police officers and staff are to provide the public with the policing services they want and need, the Government must ensure we are properly funded.

“These initiatives show what can be achieved with a cash injection, but that cash injection needs to be across the board.

“All too often we are seeing the Government only finding extra funds when there is a tragedy. Take for example the extra £2 million to be given to Cleveland Police to tackle crime following the deaths of two police officers and five young men last month.”

Copped Enough

The Police Federation is calling for better funding through its Copped Enough campaign which highlights the reality behind the badge: police officers are 21 per cent worse off in real terms than they were in 2010, a third of officers struggle to afford food, rent, or heating, 86 officers are attacked each day and mental health crises are soaring.

“These are all issues that must be addressed if the Government is serious about tackling crime and the causes of crime. Police officers and staff need to be paid fairly and their wellbeing in every sense of the word must be a priority. You cannot deliver an effective policing service with a demoralised workforce that is bowing under financial, mental and physical pressures,” Jess explained.

The Home Secretary is backing local plans to tackle knife robberies developed by police and councils to tackle crimes, save lives and protect local communities.  

Each plan will be tailored to the area. They will combine tough police enforcement activity such as enhanced police patrols, alongside programmes designed for young people most at risk of being a victim or a perpetrator of knife crime.  

There will also be improvements to public spaces, including better lighting and redesigning areas to prevent weapons being hidden. 

Evidence

In a statement published on its website, gov.uk, the Government says growing evidence shows that concerted action in small, targeted areas is the most effective way of driving down knife crime.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, said: Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and no young life should be blighted by knife crime.   

“Targeted policing and prevention, focused on the areas where the need is greatest, is already cutting knife robberies by nearly a quarter. That means safer streets, and fewer lives lost.”

Last Thursday, Ms Mahmood visited the West Midlands, attending a local boxing gym, which plays a vital part in supporting vulnerable young people to stay away from crime, and was joined by members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime: Lynne Baird MBE, Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell MBE, and Pooja Kanda OBE.  

Campaigning by these three women - who have all tragically lost children to knives - has helped keep the issue at the top of the national agenda and reinforced the need for action on enforcement, prevention and protecting young people from being drawn into violence.