Oral Answers to Questions

Damien Moore Excerpts

Thursday 10th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con)]

1. What steps the CPS is taking to improve the rate of prosecution for knife crime.

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

4. What steps the CPS is taking to improve the rate of prosecution for knife crime.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend is right about the need to tackle the underlying reasons for knife crime, whether that is carried out by gangs or young people in isolation. That sort of work is far more valuable than attempts by the President of the United States to channel Sean Connery in “The Untouchables”.

[Damien Moore]

How can the Minister alleviate concerns over recent reports in the national press about the prevalence of knife crime in our towns and cities? What action are the Government taking to co-ordinate an approach to those offences?

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend speaks with bitter and sad experience, given the appalling case in his constituency, and I send my condolences to everybody concerned. It is clear that we are seeing a rise in the use of knives in some of our towns and cities. Some of that information is a result of better police work and increased reporting, but there is no doubt that we have a challenge to face, particularly with our young people. I am glad that the strategy we have set out deals not only with prosecution, but with the root causes of knife crime. We must teach young people about the dangers of knife crime at appropriate times, including both after and before such offences are committed.