Heidi Alexander, the newly elected MP for Swindon South, has ambitious targets for the next five years. She aims to build a high-wage local economy, address the problems in the NHS, tackle crime, and improve the town center. Alexander wants Swindon to be a place where people don't have to leave to succeed. She plans to invest in youth mentors, nighttime police, and trial schemes in Swindon. Alexander also wants to put together a town center task force to make it more attractive to visitors.
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Knife crime is a priority issue in Avon and Somerset, with 1,368 knife crimes recorded last year, a 14% increase from the previous year. Three young people have been fatally stabbed in Bristol this year. The Police and Crime Commissioner election is being held on Thursday to determine who will hold the police accountable. The four candidates have shared their plans to reduce knife crime. The Liberal Democrat candidate, Benet Allen, emphasizes the need for collaboration with public services and local councils. The Green Party candidate, Katy Grant, advocates for increased police visibility and building trust in communities. The Labour candidate, Clare Moody, highlights the importance of neighborhood policing and community engagement. The Conservative candidate, Mark Shelford, believes in addressing the causes of knife crime through community involvement and empowering youth. The election will provide an opportunity for the public to have their say on this pressing issue.
Knife crime in Britain has risen by 40% since the Conservatives came to power, with 50,500 offences involving sharp instruments recorded last year. Nearly 4,000 victims were hospitalized and 244 died [16f44c0b]. Despite a Tory manifesto pledge that carrying knives means prison, one criminal racked up nine offences without being jailed, and 14 others avoided jail despite being found guilty at least four times. The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has no action plan to tackle knife crime, while Yvette Cooper, the next Home Secretary, does. The article calls for tougher criminal sanctions for dealers selling lethal weapons and for gang leaders enticing young people to carry them, as well as more neighborhood police patrols in areas with high knife crime rates [16f44c0b].
Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols has submitted a written question to the Home Office asking whether provisions on knives in the Criminal Justice Bill will also extend to weapons used for historical re-enactments [d175c8ce]. Chris Philp, Conservative MP and Minister of State for the Home Office, responded by stating that the measures in the Criminal Justice Bill, including increased penalties for selling knives to minors and possessing bladed articles with intent to use unlawful violence, will apply to all pointed or bladed articles, including those used for historical re-enactment. The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) Order 2024 has been approved by both Houses of Parliament, prohibiting the manufacture, supply, sale, and possession of zombie-style knives and machetes from September 24, 2024. However, there is a defense in the legislation for in-scope items which are blunt [d175c8ce].
Lambeth Council in London is taking steps to address violence in the community and build stronger bonds between adults and young people. The council is running creative community sessions as part of their long-term strategy to tackle the underlying causes of violence. The initiative stems in part from the tragic loss of Filipe Oliveira, who was murdered in Tulse Hill in April 2023. The Lambeth Youth Forum has organized a series of events, including workshops, where role play, acting, and group discussions are used to explore different scenarios and identify ways to resolve or avoid conflict. The next session will be a final gala event at Longfield Hall in Knatchbull Road on May 24. The council aims to make Lambeth one of the safest boroughs in London and is committed to preventing violence in the community [641cc014].
New figures show that more than a quarter of criminals caught by police in Gloucestershire last year had no previous offences. Gloucestershire Constabulary dealt with 848 first-time offenders, including 51 under 18s. Of those, 702 were convicted, while the rest were cautioned. First-time offenders accounted for 29% of all criminals in Gloucestershire, slightly up from 27% the previous year. Law reform charity JUSTICE called for better access to mental health and addiction services to help reverse the trend. Across England and Wales, around 63,700 first-time offenders were convicted in 2023, representing 22% of all criminals. In Gloucestershire, 27% of first-time offenders received a community sentence, while 5% were sent to prison. [3d71bed5].
Clare Moody, the newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset, has written her first monthly column. Moody expresses her commitment to being visible and accountable to all residents of Avon and Somerset and her focus on reducing crime and raising public confidence in the police. Prior to being elected as PCC, Moody served as a Member of the European Parliament, worked at No.10 Downing Street, and was a trade union officer. She plans to work with community partners, police staff, and officers to address the challenges faced by the region, including violent crime and prevention. Moody will create a comprehensive Police and Crime Plan and actively listen to the concerns and priorities of residents. She invites residents to reach out to her and her office with any concerns or suggestions [15c0c960].