Local Knife Crime Concern Update

Local Knife Crime Concern Update

Here’s an update on our work to tackle knife crime in your area. We’re committed to making our neighbourhood safer for everyone.

On Wednesday 12th August, Waterloo and South Bank 'Safer Neighbourhood Team' officers and Lambeth Council, Public Protection & Regulatory Services carried out a joint weapon sweep in Waterloo. We are pleased to announce that no weapons were found on the estates and local parks that were visited.

We will continue to work in partnership with the Public Protection Officers to ensure that this valuable work can provide reassurance to the public and residents.

Across London we’re using intelligence to ruthlessly target high-harm offenders and those selling knives; while making better use of our ‘stop and search’ powers so we can get more weapons off the street.

The number of murders in London has dropped to its lowest in more than a decade, and we have driven crime enabled by a knife down by 17% in a year. The rate of violence in London is lower than many other big cities, both in the UK and across the US and major European cities like Paris, Berlin and Barcelona. 

But the impact of senseless violence on families is devastating and certain communities are disproportionately affected. We’re not complacent and are determined to reduce it even further. We are stepping up our use of data and technology in this space, cutting off access to weapons, improving our investigations and working with communities and partners on targeted operations to help keep people safe. 

If you have experienced knife crime in your area, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk  or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.