Mayor urged to recognise Knife Crime Day of Remembrance

The Mayor has been urged to recognise a ‘Knife Crime Day of Remembrance’ during Knife Crime Awareness Week next May.

Members of the London Assembly today agreed a motion which also called on the Mayor and the Met to use “every tool at their disposal to tackle knife crime”, including stop and search and live facial recognition technology.

The Day of Remembrance would provide an opportunity each year to remember all of those lives taken or affected by knife crime, and mark the impact on communities affected by knife crime and gang violence.

Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“Knife crime destroys lives and communities, and casts a long shadow over our city.

“I am pleased that the Assembly has backed this motion to remember the countless victims of knife crime in London formally next May, and the need to use all tools available to the Met Police to tackle this issue.

“I want to live in a London where we do not pass every week with another senseless death, a life cut short by knives. Change must come quickly.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly wishes to remember the victims of knife crime across the capital, and recognise the impact of these crimes on the families of victims and wider communities.

This Assembly urges the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority to recognise a ‘Knife Crime Day of Remembrance’ during Knife Crime Awareness Week next May.

This would provide an opportunity each year to remember all of those lives taken or affected by knife crime, and mark the impact on communities affected by knife crime and gang violence.

This Assembly urges the Mayor and the Met to use every tool at their disposal to tackle knife crime, including stop and search, live facial recognition and preventative measures within communities.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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