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Mayor Boris Johnson and Met Chief Sir Ian Blair joined forces and laid out the impact of Operation Blunt at City Hall today - hours after a woman in Peckham became the third person to be stabbed to death in London in three days At his monthly press conference the mayor was flanked by Britain’s top cop and they reveled that the police surge in London has wielded significant results.
1,200 arrests
The pair told reporters that since Operation Blunt 2 was launched in May, 1,200 arrests have been made, 528 knifes have been sized, 813 weapons taken off the streets and a staggering 27,000 stop and searches. Police have been making full use of the Section 60 of the Public Order Act that allows police to search anyone even without reasonable suspicion.
Blair’s frustration
Sir Ian gave Johnson his full support in his overall strategy, dispelling any fear that the two could not work together. Arrests and prosecutions, he said, where two times the amount made this time last year. While 30% of those caught with a knife last year were given a caution - today that figure is 5%. Seven fewer people have been murdered this year. 105 people were charged with knife related crime last week. He also expressed frustration with the court system as there is no way for the police to track offenders through the system. Johnston said there was a problem with the criminal justice system; a point Blair refused to be drawn on.
Don't get involved
Asked if he a message or advice to young people, the mayor said: "if you see a fight, don't get involved." Admitting that it might not seem public spirited, he urged youths 'shouldn't risk it'. He admitted he would advise his own children ‘if there's a bar brawl in Islington, look after yourself.' Deterrent, the fear of getting caught, was the key factor in reducing knife crime, Johnson said. Blair made it clear to those carrying knifes that the stakes were higher, stating you more likely to be stop and searched, more likely to appear in court and more likely to go prison now more than ever. The message from the two was clear; we're in this for the long haul.
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