Knife crime is my priority but it's a national problem

POLICE CHIEF HIGHLIGHTS CRIME IS FALLING BUT FORCE IS TACKLING PLENTY OF ISSUES

- HARRY LEACH

West Midlands Police's Chief Constable Craig Guildford speaks to Birmingham Mail reporter HARRY LEACH on the important issues affecting Birmingham including knife crime and the city's continuing bin strike

Q: At the start of 2024, Chief Insp Mark Lacey said that Birmingham didn't have a knife crime problem immediately after teenager Muham-mad Hassam Ali was stabbed to death in the city centre. He said it was because the force was reducing violent crime overall. Do you still believe as a force that Birmingham doesn't have a knife crime problem after the death of Leo Ross earlier this year?

A: Well, I've never said that, have I? You're asking me a question on something that I've not said...

Q: ...but he was representing the force. So, how do you feel about knife crime?

A: The top thing that I feel is that knife crime is a really important priority. And I'm sure you will help me in making sure that the message gets across that knife crime has reduced across the Midlands, considerably.

Knife-enabled violence has reduced by about 15% over the last two years. Knife-enabled robbery, serious youth violence, are down considerably. Vehicle crime is down by about 15%, robbery down 19%, and burglary is down by a third in two and a half years. Those are important statistics.

Q: It's very good that you've seen a reduction. But would you say, even with the reductions, that Birmingham has a knife crime problem?

A: Everywhere has a knife crime problem doesn't it? It's a blight of Western society at the moment, in our country, and overseas. Whilst individuals can make a number of comments, some of which can be taken out of context, we take knife crime very seriously.