Richmond Council takes stand against knife crime to safeguard residents

Due to rising knife crime in the capital, Richmond Council has made calls to the Mayor of London and the government to address police funding shortfalls and restore confidence in public safety.

Following the tragic fatal stabbing at Strawberry Hill station, councillors have tabled a motion that underscores the Council's unwavering commitment to combating knife-related incidents within the borough. 

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: "The recent incidents involving knives and similar sharp objects, especially the tragic incident at Strawberry Hill station, have deeply affected our community. As our hearts go out to the victims and their families, it is imperative that we take a firm stance against violence and work collaboratively to prevent these acts from ever happening and ensure Richmond upon Thames is safe for all our residents."

Whilst local police have continued taking action to keep the borough safe, the high number of abstractions of dedicated ward officers and longstanding financial shortfall has created challenges in meeting the demand. To tackle this, Councillors have urged the government to address the £100 million deficit in capital city grant funding for the Metropolitan Police which was initially identified in 2018. This funding gap has widened over the years, limiting the ability of law enforcement agencies to address crime effectively. 

The call forms part of the Council's strategy to work collaboratively with local groups as part of the Richmond Community Safety Partnership, which includes the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), and the Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB). The partnership focuses on building an understanding of the values and challenges within the borough to create an environment that caters to the safety needs of residents, ensuring that every member of the community feels confident and protected in their surroundings.