May to hold Downing Street knife crime summit

Theresa May is to host a major summit aimed at tackling the scourge of knife crime.

The Prime Minister will gather experts and community leaders at Downing Street on April 1 to explore ways to tackle the problem.

She originally told MPs on March 6 that the summit would take place “in the coming days” and shadow policing minister Louise Haigh criticised the delay, saying it was “high time” for the Government to take action.

Mrs May’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will host the summit on serious violence in Downing Street on Monday April 1.

“As she set out in the House, this will bring together ministers, community leaders, agencies and experts to explore what more we can do as a whole society to tackle knife crime.”

Louise Haigh (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Louise Haigh (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Haigh told the Press Association: “The Prime Minister promised to meet victims and hold an emergency summit ‘in the coming days’ nearly three weeks ago.

“Whilst it’s welcome that they are now convening this summit, we need to see action and not words from this failing Government.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday afternoon, Home Secretary Sajid Javid was chairing a meeting of the serious violence task force involving ministers and police chiefs.

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