Knife crime is rising across the country. This is not only an issue in London, it is happening in Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Kent and many other places too.  It is absolutely devastating for the family and friends of the victims and the entire community. There is fantastic work happening across Dulwich and West Norwood and elsewhere to support young people and prevent serious violence, but this work is being held back by the availability of horrific weapons on our streets.

No-one needs a hunting knife or zombie-style knife in London – these are dangerous weapons and the appalling injuries they can inflict mean their victims often have little chance of survival and suffer horrific injuries if they do survive. Despite their increasing use in serious violence across the country, and despite many opportunities to do so, the Government has failed to take the action needed to take these weapons off our streets.

There are growing calls for action including from Idris Elba and London Mayor Sadiq Khan but the Conservatives have consistently failed to prioritise this issue. Today I introduced a new Bill to Parliament to end the delay and introduce the desperately needed ban on Zombie Knives, machetes and swords for good. If the Conservatives won’t act to keep our communities safe, Labour will.