Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the Government announcement that there will be a new stop and search power for convicted knife criminals, said:

“The truth is that under the Tories violent crime – and knife crime in particular – has risen right across the country, whilst Ministers have overseen a rise in reoffending.

“That is, sadly, the inevitable consequence of deep cuts to the police and preventive services.

“A range of actions are needed to tackle repeat offending, with a strategy that carries the confidence of all our communities, not simply a public consultation on piecemeal measures.”