News from London Assembly Labour

Young knife crime victims up 29% under Boris Johnson

As the Government announced its gang’s strategy, London MP and Shadow Home Affairs Minister Stella Creasy questioned whether Boris Johnson was up to leading for London on tackling knife crime.

She said: “Time and time again, Boris Johnson doesn’t seem to be able to get his facts right on this critical issue. He said when he was elected that he would never accept ‘defeat’ in the fight against knife crime – but three years on we can see it has risen every year of his term in office, with nearly 7,500 young victims this year alone. Boris Johnson keeps bungling the evidence of knife crime and youth offending, meaning Londoners are asking if we can have confidence in his ability to lead action in this area.

“Today’s gang announcement shows exactly why we need a Mayor who isn’t confused but who can confront Theresa May. Gangs and knives are making the lives of many a misery in the capital but the Government is cutting the services needed to keep London safe.

“Many boroughs are seeing cuts of 30% or more in their youth offending teams, 20% in their community safety budgets, youth services slashed and we’re losing 1,000 police officers from our streets. If Boris Johnson was serious about tackling knife crime he’d stop fluffing the figures, and start fighting for the needs of our city.”

Other news from London Assembly Labour

• Every Labour voter must turn out today or the Tories will get away with it - 3 May 2012
• Cameron urging a Boris Johnson vote shows why we need a Labour Mayor - 3 May 2012
• Ken to woo London Liberal Democrat voters with email appeal - 1 May 2012