New data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides the clearest picture yet of the Government's progress towards its ambitious pledge to halve knife crime by 2034.

The commitment was first announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July 2024 following the formation of the new Labour Government. The new Government inherited knife crime levels close to record highs, with 54,599 offences recorded across England and Wales.

Recognising the scale of the challenge, the Prime Minister created a national Knife Crime Summit in Downing Street in September 2024. The event brought together leading campaigners, experts and organisations, including Sir Idris Elba and The Ben Kinsella Trust. At the summit, the Government outlined a series of measures aimed at tackling knife crime, including the development of a dedicated strategy to halve knife crime over the next decade and the creation of a coalition of experts to support and scrutinise its delivery.

Two years on, what do the latest figures tell us?
‍