Fewer knife robberies in high-risk UK areas

ROBBERIES involving a knife, or the threat of one, have reduced in most of the UK's high-risk areas, according to Home Office data.

- RHIANNON JAMES Press Association

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the 6% overall annual reduction in knife-enabled robbery incidents is a direct result of targeted police action.

A dedicated police taskforce was set up in October last year focused on seven forces - Metropolitan Police, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Avon and Somerset, and British Transport Police.

These areas had seen a steep rise in incidents between July 2023 and June 2024, accounting for 70% of knife-enabled robbery at the time.

Drones, knife arches and detection dogs are among the tactics being used in an attempt to bring down the number of incidents, with the forces also increasing visible patrols and the number of plain clothes officers on the streets.