GMB call for greater support for emergency services to help tackle knife crime
GMB Congress call for greater support for emergency services to help tackle knife crime epidemic
It is a chance to tackle an epidemic which has made us all fear late nights and be suspicious of those who in the majority are innocent, says GMB London
GMB Congress have called for greater resources to be available to emergency services to help tackle the knife crime epidemic across the country. A motion passed today (10 June) has called for the police service and justice system to be given a significant increase in support, tools and education to tackle this outbreak in violence.
A report from the BBC says have already been 100 fatal stabbings in the first 6 months of 2019 [1]. It also reports that there were 39,818 knife crime offences in England and Wales in the 12 months ending September 2018. This is a two-thirds increase from the low-point in the year ending March 2014 [2].
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, has said she is “sure” that the current wave of knife crime is linked directly to the police budget cuts instigated by the Conservative government, and has called for an extra 500 officers by end of 2019 as the number has fallen below 30,000 [3].
The 102nd GMB Congress, comprises of 500 elected lay members and 300 visitors and guests. GMB Congress delegates were elected from the GMB membership to represent over 640,000 members from every part of the UK and Ireland and every sector of the economy. Congress is the supreme policy making body in GMB.
Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary said:
“This is the start of a battle, of a campaign to see our own heroic police service and justice system be given the support, tools and education to fight back against this wave of uncertainty and fear.
“It is a chance to tackle an epidemic which has made us all fear late nights and be suspicious of those who in the majority are innocent.
“GMB fully support all frontline emergency workers, and importantly all the services which support communities, being properly funded in order to tackle this tragic epidemic.”
ENDS
Contact: Vaughan West 07967 342197 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114762
Notes to Editors
[1] BBC - UK knife crime: The first 100 fatal stabbings of 2019 (17 May 2019)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48186035
[2] BBC – “Ten charts on the rise of knife crime in England and Wales” (14 March 2019)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42749089
[3] The Guardian – “Met chief says budget cuts have contributed to rise in violent crime” (18 May 2018)
Congress Motion
340. KNIFE CRIME
This Congress – This is a stand, an opportunity, an obligation to tackle a nationwide outbreak, plaguing our streets – Knife crime.
This is a chance to tackle an epidemic which has made us all fear late nights and be suspicious of those who in the majority are innocent.
This motion is the start of a battle, of a campaign to see our own heroic police service and justice system be given the support, tools and education to fight back against this wave of uncertainty and fear.
AVIATION SECURITY BRANCH London Region
Image: Flickr via Wade.Brooks
