Knife-Related Robberies Fall 6% in UK High-Risk Areas

Knife-enabled robberies in the UK have decreased by 6% overall, marking the first significant decline in four years, according to Home Office data. The reduction is attributed to targeted police actions led by a dedicated taskforce established in October 2024, focusing on seven high-risk forces including the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands, and Greater Manchester. Tactics such as drones, knife arches, detection dogs, increased visible patrols, and plainclothes officers have been deployed to combat the rise in knife crime, which had previously escalated sharply between July 2023 and June 2024. The West Midlands experienced the largest decrease in incidents at 25%, while Greater Manchester saw a 4% increase. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the urgency and effectiveness of these interventions but called for enhanced efforts using new technologies like 'hex mapping' to further concentrate resources on the most affected areas. This strategic approach aims to sustain and accelerate the decline in knife-enabled robberies across the UK.