Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a presentation on developing a knife crime and serious violence strategy in Leicester.

Members of the Commission are recommended to receive the presentation and pass comments to the Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services for consideration.

The Assistant City Mayor for Neighbourhoods introduced the presentation on the Knife Crime and Serious Violence Strategy.

The Head of Community Safety and Protection, the Technical Manager for Neighbourhoods and Chief Superintendent Shane O'Neill from Leicestershire Police delivered the presentation on the Knife Crime and Serious Violence Strategy.

Emphasis was made on this project being a community led project as previously policies and strategies to tackle the issues faced by communities had been developed by the authority. 

Officers shared key demographics of the victims and perpetrators together with information on how the knife crime strategy was being developed through Community Conversations. Members of the Commission suggested that an invitation to the community events would help keep Ward Councillors aware of what is going on locally and ensure that the views of the local people are included.

The Chair suggested that the sports teams could be utilised to kick start a campaign against knife crime in the city. It was noted that this could be part of the next stage of the strategy where all the suggestions, recommendations and feedback from holding the different events would be analysed to develop the next phase of work. Officers indicated that they would return to the Commission with a report on how some of this work could be delivered.

During the discussions Members of the Commission raised their concerns with incidents of public order offence that had resulted in offensive weapons being brandished. Members were asked to ensure that their constituents continue to report all incidents to the police so that incidents can be appropriately logged and followed up by the police. Members of the Commission shared their concerns with the rise in number of serious incidents. It was noted that the recent tragic events were a concern and that the police were open to suggestions from Members that could support their aim to tackle serious violent crimes.

Members of the Commission thanked the team for the presentation and the level of work that had been contributed. Members were concerned with the age of the victims of knife crime and felt that the figures of people involved in knife crime had to decrease. It was suggested that working collaboratively with all agencies could help bring the overall numbers down.

Members of the Committee suggested that more data in terms of backgrounds should be provided to help tackle the issue and develop long term solutions within the communities to resolve this issue.

It was suggested that over the years, resources had decreased, and it was evident that the future of young peoples was at the centre of concern. The opportunities had to be available for young people in all communities to develop them selves in preparation for their futures. It was recommended that resources be put back into youth services, so that the young people are better equipped for the future, secondly, schools needed to be more proactive in educating students in and around the dangers of knife crime and finally, employment opportunities where young people were given ample opportunities to go into some form of employment. Members also noted that they look forward to the upcoming report to the Commission as it time for communities to come together and resolve the issue of knife crime and make Leicester a safer city to live in.