Knife-related robberies in region down by 25%

6% OVERALL ANNUAL FALL IN UK HIGH-RISK AREAS AFTER TASKFORCE

- RHIANNON JAMES News Reporter

ROBBERIES involving a knife, or the threat of one, have reduced in most of the UK's high-risk areas, including the West Midlands which saw the largest drop.

The region registered a 25% reduction in incidents in the past year, according to Home Office data.

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 Service, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Avon and Sommerset 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.