Javid: Police resources ‘very important’ in tackling knife crime

Sajid Javid has pledged to do “everything I can” to provide police with the resources they need to tackle Britain’s knife crime epidemic.

The Home Secretary held emergency talks with chief constables on Wednesday after a spate of fatal stabbings.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: “I think police resources are very important to deal with this. We’ve got to do everything we can.

“I’m absolutely committed to working with the police in doing this. We have to listen to them when they talk about resources.”

The remarks appeared to put him at odds with Theresa May, who sparked controversy earlier this week by insisting there was no direct link between certain crimes and police numbers.

Mr Javid also said it was important for the Government to give police “more confidence” over the use of stop-and-search powers.

He said: “I think that stop-and-search is a very valuable tool and some police forces have started in recent years making even more use of that, and they have my full support.”

Mrs May introduced reforms in 2014 to ensure stop and search was used in a more targeted way following criticism that the tactics unfairly focused on black and minority ethnic individuals.

The Prime Minister announced she would be holding a summit in coming days to explore “what more we can do as a whole society to tackle this problem”.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs May said: “A growing number of young people have lost their lives in a growing cycle of violence that has shocked us all.”

Later this week, police chiefs will present ministers with details of the resources they need for a “surge” in capacity to combat the rise in violent crime.