How Is Havering As A Borough Tackling Knife Crime?

Figures have shown a soaring increase in knife crime across London, which is of no surprise to anyone. Knife crime fails to be addressed as it should be and has been for many years. However, across Havering things are slightly different.

Knife crime is one of the most pressing safety concerns in Havering. While London as a whole continues to grapple with violent offences, local figures have shown that Havering did see a sharp rises in recent years—particularly between 2014 and 2023. However, now there are signs of progress, and much of that is thanks to targeted, collaborative policing strategies on the ground.

Havering Police has ramped up its presence across known knife crime hotspots—most notably Romford town centre and around Ardleigh Green college. Officers carry out highly visible foot patrols and targeted stop-and-search operations, focusing on deterrence and rapid response.

Havering police works closely with Havering Council Enforcement Team and Youth Unity to tackle knife crime at grass roots levels. By working together, our youth can now receive many free sessions of sport, music and all round support.

Knife crime we know, needs desperately a multi faceted approach. You cannot police your way out of knife crime, it needs to be a hands on approach across the community. Anti knife crime campaigners and bereaved mothers Sue Hedges from the Ricky Hayden Memorial and Peguy Kato from All Champion’s Charity, work across the borough with the police and council, to tackle knife crime. Sue donates Daniel Baird life saving bleed kits and Peguy holds informative sessions with our youth.

Specialist units such as the Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) also play a vital role. These teams—often in plain clothes—target high-risk individuals and locations using intelligence to disrupt gang activity and prevent violent incidents before they occur.

As part of London-wide efforts, Operation Sceptre and Operation Yamhill have delivered a more concentrated approach to knife crime in Havering. These operations deploy additional officers to patrol backstreets, clubs, and other risk areas—sometimes with the support of dogs, drones, and even physical infrastructure like netting over smoking areas to prevent the passing of weapons.

These initiatives are designed not only to remove weapons from circulation but also to send a clear message: carrying a knife will be met with firm and immediate action.

Beyond frontline policing, technology and intelligence gathering are playing a vital role. Havering Council’s upgraded CCTV network works in close partnership with the Met, with operators alerting officers to suspicious activity in real time. In one recent incident, CCTV helped identify drug-related suspects near Romford, which led to a foot pursuit and weapons being recovered.

The borough is also implementing a Serious Violence Strategy—a long-term framework that brings together the police, local authorities, schools, and youth services to address the root causes of knife crime. This data-driven approach prioritises early intervention, support for vulnerable young people, and education.

A major component of the borough’s knife crime strategy involves community engagement.

In March 2024, Councillor David Taylor hosted a Knife Crime Summit at Romford Baptiste Church with local police, councillors, schools and residents. This event focused on open dialogue and community-led ideas to make Havering safer.

Meanwhile, initiatives like “Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife” offer anonymous drop-off points for knives, helping to remove dangerous items from circulation. A dedicated knife bin at Romford Station has already proven successful.

Youth outreach is another crucial pillar. Through sports initiatives, school visits, and the Clear, Hold, Build programme, police and youth workers are working to steer young people away from criminal activity by providing support, education and mentorship.

Havering Council has committed £3.5 million to upgrading CCTV across the borough and £290,000 to fund police roles dedicated to neighbourhood safety. These officers focus on early intervention, town centre patrols, and building relationships with the public.

The council is also involved in a three-year plan to reduce serious violence, integrating support services for young people at risk of exploitation and working closely with schools to identify concerns early.

Havering officers also participate in regional operations to target the County Lines drug trade, which often fuels local knife crime. During a recent Intensification Week, police across east London—including Havering—seized firearms, samurai swords, and Class A drugs worth over £180,000. These efforts highlight the link between drugs, gangs, and knife violence—and how disruption at all levels is key to community safety.

While the borough has seen sharp rises in knife-related incidents in past years, there are reasons to be hopeful. As of April 2024, knife injuries are reportedly down 41%, and incidents involving victims under 25 have fallen by 33%. These figures suggest that the combined efforts of police, the council, and the community are beginning to make a measurable difference.

In summary, Havering Police is taking a robust and community-focused approach to tackling knife crime. From intelligence-led patrols and youth diversion schemes to collaborative summits and council funding, the strategy is layered and long-term. Knife crime cannot be solved overnight—but it can be reduced, and lives can be saved.

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