Knife attacks rise – but vital post is vacant

POLICE chiefs tasked with reducing knife crime have been without a leader for two months.

- By Jon Austin

It comes as fears mount over the growing number of young people becoming victims and perpetrators of attacks.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) admitted it has yet to replace its knife crime lead two months after the former post holder retired.

The lead is responsible for setting priorities for chief constables to follow to try to stem the epidemic of bloodshed sweeping the country, as yet more teenagers have died.

Graham McNulty, a Met Police deputy assistant commissioner, retired in December.

The vacancy comes during a new year that has seen several teenagers stabbed to death or charged with knife murders.

On Thursday, a boy and a girl, both 15, were charged with the murder of 16-year-old transgender girl Brianna Ghey. She was found with fatal stab wounds in Warrington on February 11.