Homicides at highest in a decade, official figures show

There were 732 homicides in England and Wales last year – the highest number in a decade, official figures show.

Police-recorded offences involving knives or sharp instruments were also up by 6% in 2018 compared to the previous year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday.

The number of homicides last year stood at its highest in any calendar year since 2007, when the total was 765.

The figures come after a spate of knife crimes involving young people triggered a political row over cuts to police funding.

One of the latest killings was that of an 18-year-old man who was stabbed to death in the Harborne area on Birmingham on Wednesday evening.

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