The UK government says recorded knife crime has fallen 11% since Labour took office, and it is now expanding its crackdown to more than 230 areas across 27 police forces in England and Wales. The figures are government claims and have not been independently audited.

In seven police forces in the targeted programme, knife-enabled robbery fell 23% since the July 2024 general election. That is more than 3,600 fewer reported robberies, the government said. The forces include the Met, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset, and the British Transport Police.

The expanded crackdown will include extra patrols, CCTV, youth prevention work and better lighting, with tailored local plans for each area. It is backed by 26.25 million pounds from the Knife Crime Concentrations Fund, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced.

The government’s ambition is to halve knife crime within a decade. Officials say progress will be reviewed as the new local plans roll out across the country.