Today’s Home Office stories include reports on the criticism of anti-stop and search campaigner by the parents of knife victims.
Tackling knife crime
The Times and Independent report on criticism of anti-stop and search campaigners by a mother whose teenage son was stabbed and killed a year ago.
Sharon Kendall said that they “tie the hands” of police and that the “loudest voice” on the knife crime problem should be the parents of victims.
The comments were made as the family marked the one year anniversary of the lethal attack on Jason Isaacs in Northolt.
Elsewhere, The Telegraph, Mail and the Times carry short pieces that report that NHS England figures show that the number of children with stab wounds being treated by doctors has risen by 86% over the past four years.
The Today programme carried a piece with Metropolitan Police officers tacking serious violence in South London. The officers said that the influence of drug gangs is behind a rise in knife crime.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
Stop and search is a vital policing tool and officers have the Government's full support to use these powers in a way that is fair, lawful and effective.
We are looking at ways to work with the police to reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency in the use of this power.
We are on the front foot in engaging with the police and recognise the changing demands they are facing.
The Government's balanced approach to the economy has helped ensure there is £1billion more of public money going into policing than three years ago and the Home Secretary has been clear that he will prioritise police funding.