MP for Milton Keynes North has today (1/3) presented the issue of knife crime to Policing Minister Kit Malthouse.
Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North, today raised the issue of knife crime in Milton Keynes with Policing Minister Kit Malthouse.
It comes after a 16-year-old boy was tragically murdered at the beginning of last month.
Speaking in parliament, Ben Everitt said: "Another young life has been tragically lost to a knife in Milton Keynes. Will the Minister agree with me that as well as record numbers of police on the streets, we need courts and the CPS to work with the police to ensure that there are real deterrents to carrying a knife on our streets?"
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse responded that he is very sorry to hear of the crime that took place in Milton Keynes.
He said: "The fight against knife crime is in the forefront of the Government's priorities and alongside [he said] both deterrent sentencing and assertive and extensive policing we do need to work on those long-term solutions to turn young people's lives away from crime."
The Policing Minister said he was very pleased to have visited the Thames Valley VRU (Violence Reduction Unit) last year, to look at the extensive work they're doing on putting those programmes in place.
On Friday (24/2), The Milton Keynes MP took Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Matthew Barber and local Police Inspector Brace for a walk around Oldbrook whilst discussing knife crime in Milton Keynes.
Matthew Barber told MKFM on Friday: “[This morning] I met with Milton Keynes North MP and local neighbourhood inspector Lee Brace to discuss the understand concerns in the community, following the shocking murder earlier this month and to talk about the police response.
“The immediate response has of course seen arrests made and an increased visible presence within communities. Section 60 measures have been imposed to increase stop and search powers to tackle those who carry weapons. This is in addition to the ongoing work to target individuals known to the police and to focus on hotspots as well as working in school and with young people to address some of the root causes of knife crime.
“This morning’s meeting was also an opportunity to discuss what more can be done, in conjunction with the government, to drive down knife crime. As well as updating on police officer recruitment, that will see 4,615 police officers in Thames Valley by the end of March, we discussed how the Home Office can support recruitment into the future. We also discussed work with the CPS and the courts to ensure those who carry knives are held to account by the criminal justice system.”
