Knife crime in Islington soars in 12 week period year-on-year

Knife crime has soared by more than a third since the start of April compared with the same period last year, according to Islington Police figures.

The number of crimes involving knives increased by 37.5 per cent year-on-year for the period between April 1 and June 20. The figures include stabbings but also incidents when a knife was present but not used.

Police did not release the actual numbers of incidents, and there have been at least three stabbings, including the killing in the Andover Estate, since June 20.

But there was a 14 per cent reduction during the same period in what the police term the “most serious violence”, which includes murder, attempted murder, wounding, stabbings, GBH and driving offences where life has been threatened.

Chief Superintendent Mike Wise, Islington Police’s borough commander, said: “I am concerned with the levels of violence and I’m working hard with our partners such as Islington Council to try and make sure it does not continue. We are committed to making sure that those who carry knives and use knives are brought to justice.

“And what we need to focus on is educating young people that carrying a knife is unacceptable. They don’t only ruin their own lives, but those of their victims and their victims’ families.”