Margaret Mullane to organise Youth Conference in bid to tackle knife crime.

‘My commitment to tackling knife crime locally is long standing’.

Margaret Mullane, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dagenham and Rainham, has given her enthusiastic backing for the firm commitments made by Labour leader, Keir Starmer, to come down hard on knife crime and the availability of killer knives. 

Keir Starmer announced a pledge to tackle the growing epidemic of knife crime, stating that his government will “give young people real support to achieve their potential and stay on track”, but warning if they flout that chance “they’ll feel the full force of the law”.

Margaret told the Havering Daily: “My commitment to tackling knife crime locally is longstanding. I was responsible for bringing the Ben Kinsella Trust to Barking and Dagenham when I was a Council Cabinet Member at Barking and Dagenham. The charity’s work with young people on knife crime through education and campaigning has been so positive.

It is encouraging to hear the ambitious proposals to tackle the growing scourge of youth violence and halve knife crime by the end of the first term of an incoming Labour Government.” 

In a statement, Starmer said he would bring an end to existing rules that mean young people carrying knives can escape any further sanctions simply by writing an apology letter. The planincludes the introduction of a major new programme of prevention and sanctions, in the form of a “youth futures” programme and tougher punishments for those caught with offensive weapons.

Margaret added: “If I am elected to Parliament I will be adding my support to the crack down on the availability of machetes and zombie-style knives and want to see tougher sanctions on those found to be carrying these weapons.

I will be drawing on my experience to make sure that the prevention programme “youth futures” is effective by incorporating all relevant services such as mental health and local Pupil Referral Units.

There also needs to be action on tech executives who allow knife sales on their online marketplaces, such as Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Instagram and am pleased that a Labour Government would introduce tough criminal sanctions to stop this trade.

I am arranging a youth conference across Dagenham and Rainham in the coming months to listen to the concerns and aspirations of local young people because generally it is young people who are the victims of knife crime as well as the perpetrators.”

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