John Healey has today welcomed the news that Labour is expanding its crackdown on knife crime to more than 230 hotspots across England and Wales, including South Yorkshire, as new figures show knife robberies have fallen by 14 per cent in South Yorkshire since Labour came to power.

The action comes after the Tories left office with knife crime rising. In their last year in power, knife-enabled crime rose by 4% and robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument rose by 11%.

Labour’s targeted approach to tackling knife crime is working. In South Yorkshire where targeted action was prioritised, knife-enabled robberies have fallen by 14% – equivalent to over 200 crimes .

The Government will now expand this approach combining increased police patrols and surveillance with prevention and early intervention for young people as the Labour government works towards its mission to halve knife crime within a decade.

John Healey 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. That means safer streets, and fewer lives lost.”

“This Government is getting tough on knife crime and on the causes of knife crime to make our communities safer.”

“Knife crime has devastating consequences for families and communities, so I welcome this action to make our streets safer.

“South Yorkshire is one of 27 forces taking part in this crackdown, with targeted action  bringing together tougher policing and prevention to stop violence before it starts.

“After years in which knife crime was allowed to rise under the Tories, this Labour Government is determined to turn the tide – putting more focus on the places most affected and working to halve knife crime within a decade.”

Chief Inspector Ash Franklin, who is leading the Knife Crime Concentration Fund implementation, said:

“Here in South Yorkshire, we have seen the devastating consequences knife crime can bring, to families, friends and our communities.

“Initiatives already in place have seen the volumes of knife crime reduce by 14% compared to the previous year (year ending March 2024).  This equates to 235 fewer crimes.

“There is, however, still more to be done and this additional funding from the Home Office is welcomed and will be used to build on this successful work.

“We have been conducting analysis and scanning work to identify key hotspot areas across the force which will benefit from additional activity.

“Working closely with local authority partners and the Violence Prevention Partnership, Problem-Oriented Policing Plans are currently being developed, and will include tactics such as environmental changes and diversionary activity.

“This partnership working is going to be key as we continue to tackle knife crime across South Yorkshire.”