Latest figures reveal record breaking rise in shoplifting, robbery and knife crime.
Politicians blame each other for the ongoing horrors of knife crime whilst officers desperately try and stop more youths dying on our streets daily
The Office of National Statistics latest figures for 2023 have shown an increase in shoplifting, violent crime and robbery. Sadly this will not be a surprise to many, especially here in London.
At the Havering Daily we have focused heavily on both shoplifting across the borough and knife crime across London. Harold Hill and Elm Park were two areas across Havering where shoplifting was rampant. Shopworkers faced horrific abuse for doing their job including being threatened with acid, rape and being attacked on the way home.
Since the Clear Hold Build initiative began at the end of last year, key offenders have been targeted across Harold Hill and removed from our streets and pro active work by police officers has meant a huge reduction in daily thefts.
Havering residents are hoping that this initiative can be rolled out to others parts of the borough to put a stop to thefts. Sadly seeing people helping themselves to products on the shelves and just blatantly walking out with them, is something most of us are used to.
Knife crime has become such a common part of our lives now that sadly people do not even think twice about ‘another stabbing.‘ Politicians blame each other for the ongoing horrors whilst officers desperately try and stop more youths dying on our streets daily. Bereaved mothers are tired of asking,begging, pleading, for those in authority to listen to them, to work with our youth, to proactively work with all communities to stop these horrors. But nothing is done and here we are with the unsurprising rise in knife crime.
It was in June last year that the Havering Daily attended a Knife Crime Summit at City Hall led by Havering and Redbridge GLA Member Keith Prince. Bereaved mothers came to share their stories and encouraged residents to please attend and make a stand against knife crime. They also met a key politician at City Hall and shared their hopes for what they would like to see to help stop knife crime across the capital. Nothing was done.
There are many anti knife crime campaigners doing incredible work on our streets. Let’s name a few unsung heroes- Peguy Kato from All Champions Charity who spends her time quietly working with our youth, hoping to better their future. Sue Hedges from the Ricky Hayden Memorial who donates endless Daniel Baird bleed bags to venues across London in a desperate bid to save lives. Julie Taylor from the Liam Taylor Legacy who donates Daniel Baird bags across Essex and shares her heartbreaking story in a hope to change lives. Shirley and Riad from Youth Unity who work every day across all parts of London with their van engaging with youths and providing many different outreach programmes for them.
No one cares about knife crime except officers who desperately provide first aid to those left dying on the streets. If they did care, something would have been done by now to stop this public health crisis. Communities must come together and support our youth. They are our future.
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