'We are LOSING CONTROL of our streets' Shock police warning amid knife crime epidemic
A FORMER Met Police Chief has admitted that British police are dangerously close to "losing control of our streets" following a surge in the knife crime epidemic in recent days.
London streets 'out of control' claims former Met Police Chief
Former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Lord John Stevens has admitted that the police are losing control over the streets in the capital. The stark warning follows a spate of knife attacks on London's streets last week, which killed five people within just six days. The Home Office has recorded a 16 per cent increase in knife crime offences in the past year - the highest number since 2011.
Hundreds of extra police have been deployed in London this week after the shock jump in knife deaths.
Speaking to Andrew Castle on LBC, Lord Stevens called for action from the government.
He said: "We've come to the stage where we're on the cusp of losing control of the streets.
"Something needs to be done. Money needs to be put in in the short term and action needs to be taken".
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We've come to the stage where we're on the cusp of losing control of the streets
Lord Stevens suggested the Home Office was not giving enough support, particularly financially.
The former Met Commissioner emphasised that we are in need of "proper leadership" in order to tackle the issue.
MPs have also warned that further cuts to policing could have “dire consequences for public safety”.
Home secretary Sajid Javid has dismissed budget cuts and recently urged Scotland Yard to make “full use” of police powers such as targeted stop and search.
Question Time: Diane Abbott GRILLED over knife crime
On Wednesday this week, Mr Javid told current Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick to “step up” the police’s response on the issue.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said Mr Javid should acknowledge that the government’s cuts were to blame for the rise in violence.
She said: "Police have the powers but what they don’t have is the resources."
Earlier this week, London mayor Sadiq Khan said it could take ten years to stop the cycle of violence on London’s streets.