Displaying items by tag: youth safety

Knife crime in London has surged by nearly 60% in the last three years and 86% over the past decade, according to a new report by Policy Exchange. A cluster of just 20 central London streets—including Oxford Circus and Regent Street—now accounts for one in every 15 knife attacks in the city. The rise in violent crime has prompted calls for a “zero tolerance” approach, including increased use of stop-and-search tactics. While controversial, the report argues that stop-and-search aligns with demographic crime data, with a higher percentage of arrests and charges involving black offenders than the general population representation. Commander Hayley Sewart of the Met Police reported that recent efforts, including hotspot policing, technological tools, and visible neighbourhood patrols, have already led to a 16% drop in knife-related crime and reduced homicide rates. Tributes have poured in for a father and son recently killed in a targeted attack, highlighting the human cost of this violence. Leaders stress that curbing knife crime requires a united approach from police, government, and society at large.

Several French cities have introduced night-time curfews for minors in response to escalating violence linked to drug trafficking. In Nîmes, where recent shootings and a brutal murder have shaken residents, authorities have imposed a 9pm–6am curfew for under-16s to shield children from violence and criminal exploitation. Mayor Jean-Paul Fournier described the situation as 'untenable,' blaming drug gangs for fostering a climate of fear. Other cities, including Béziers and Limoges, have implemented similar curfews. However, officials admit enforcement is challenging, with continued youth disturbances and attacks on police undermining their effectiveness. In Béziers, youths recently ambushed officers with fireworks, and Limoges saw unrest involving 100 people. The violence highlights a growing trend of gang activity spreading beyond Marseille, France’s drug crime epicentre. In 2024, drug-related violence claimed 110 lives and wounded over 300. The government is responding with tougher laws, high-security prisons, and expanded investigative powers, but community leaders warn that more than policing is needed to protect young lives and restore peace.