Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Duddridge and Sarah Newton

Monday 5th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)]

5. What steps her Department is taking to tackle knife crime.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sarah Newton)]

Tackling knife crime is a priority and we are taking firm action, including warning young people about the dangers of carrying knives, working with retailers both online and on the high street, and legislating for tougher sentences. During October, 21 police forces took part in a week of action against knife crime. In Essex, test purchases were conducted, habitual knife carriers were stopped and searched, and 12 individuals were arrested.

[James Duddridge]

I thank the Minister for reminding us of the action that Essex police are already taking. Over a four-month period, the knife amnesty got 311 knives off the streets. Will the Minister commit to continuing a knife amnesty and will she come to Southend to see the complexities and interaction between knife crime and drugs crime in Southend?