More than 80,000 knives taken off the streets
Over 80,000 knives and dangerous weapons have been removed from UK streets since the General Election, with knife-enabled robberies down 24% in key areas.
More than 80,000 knives and dangerous weapons have been taken off Britain’s streets since the General Election, averaging around 100 weapons removed daily. The haul includes 3,811 knives surrendered in August alone, with 3,049 deposited at Home Office-funded ‘Word 4 Weapons’ bins and 762 handed to the ‘FazAmnesty’ mobile van. In Yorkshire, eight new static bins collected 583 weapons during August, reflecting intensified surrender efforts across hotspots.
Knife-enabled robbery has fallen by 24% across the seven most affected police forces, including the Metropolitan Police, Greater Manchester, and West Midlands. These forces collaborate through the Home Office-led Knife Enabled Robbery Group, sharing intelligence to target offenders and reduce violence. The reductions follow targeted enforcement, prevention, and intervention strategies implemented since June 2024.
Knife crime in England and Wales has declined by 11% since the General Election, equating to nearly 6,000 fewer offences. Knife homicides are at a 35-year low, and hospital admissions for assaults with sharp objects have dropped 16%, including a 19% reduction among under-25s. The government attributes these improvements to coordinated action across enforcement, prevention, and community engagement.
The Home Office has deployed a £26.25 million Knife Crime Concentrations Fund to target over 230 hotspots with tailored interventions. A new ‘No Place for Knives’ pilot campaign in Birmingham, Croydon, and Westminster highlights visible enforcement measures. The National Knife Crime Centre, launched in April, has identified 186 grey-market weapon sellers and 183 social media handles promoting dangerous weapons for removal.