WEST Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed the Home Office’s announcement of a new National Knife Crime Centre, designed to strengthen the national response to knife crime.
The centre will bring together policing, government, industry and tech partners to coordinate enforcement, tackle online knife sales, share intelligence and support future legislative change.
Knife crime in West Mercia remains significantly lower than the national picture – around 46 per cent lower than the national rate of 82 per 1,000 – and continues to fall.
The latest ONS data shows a 13 per cent reduction in knife‑related offences between October 2024 and September 2025, with knives involved in just 5 per cent of serious offences.
Mr Campion said: “Knife crime offences remain low in West Mercia, but I regularly hear from the public about their concerns and perceptions of knives being an issue in their communities.
“That’s why the work being done locally – from strong enforcement by West Mercia Police to specialist education programmes for young people – is so important.
“It’s welcome to see this local effort now supported by a stronger national focus. The creation of the National Knife Crime Centre will help ensure we are tackling the issue from every angle, both on our streets and online.”
