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Dedicated Blunt 2 taskforce to combat knife crime announced at MPA meeting

36/08
4 July 2008

At the public Co-ordination and Policing committee on 4 July 2008, Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson told Police Authority members about additional measures to combat knife crime in London.

Sir Paul said:

“Sadly in recent days more young people have lost their lives to knife crime. This is not tolerable and clearly the message is not getting through.

“To build on the coordinated activity already being carried out by all 32 London police borough command units under Blunt 2, we are today increasing police officer strength in those boroughs most affected immediately by the establishment of a dedicated 75 strong Blunt 2 taskforce.

“These officers will be drawn from resources across the Met to increase the drive against known gang members and their associates. In addition senior officers are reviewing all current operations to identify whether further officers can be diverted to support the effort locally in areas where knife crime is causing the most concern.

“These measures reflect that tackling knife crime is the number one priority for the Met at this time.”

Cindy Butts, MPA deputy chair, said:

“It would be wholly wrong if the Met had not responded to the further dreadful murders that have happened this week and members warmly welcome the new Blunt 2 taskforce.

“But we need to make sure this strategy is sustainable – especially with the onset of the summer holidays. The Authority will closely monitor the success of Blunt 2 and its impact across the Met.

“The Authority also warmly welcomes the support that police officers are getting from the public, community leaders and local authorities across the capital. The Met cannot deliver on its own - we all have to work together to get the message across that carrying knives has to stop.”

The Deputy Commissioner added:

“We need to broadcast the message quite simply – if you carry a knife you are likely to be caught, you will be charged and you will be likely to go to prison.”

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For further information, please contact the MPA press office