Statement on recent fatal knife attacks

Hillingdon Labour and Uxbridge and South Ruislip Labour extend their deep condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have been victims of knife crime in Uxbridge in recent weeks.

A man was stabbed to death in Yiewsley on 4^th January, which happened soon after a 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Yiewsley on 30^th December, and is the third knife related crime in this area in the last few weeks.

We know that the police in our borough are committed to tackling crime, but the government cuts to police budgets have increasingly placed police in a position where it is difficult for them to carry out their duties effectively. The government has cut policing budgets by 3 – 4%, and demand on policing has increased as lockdown has lifted. Cuts to local authorities have also impacted youth service budgets, which will reduce early intervention and crime prevention.

Hillingdon Labour Leader Cllr Peter Curling said:

“Our heartfelt condolences are with the families and friends of the victims of these crimes. 

“Loss of life and injuries due to knife crime are not inevitable, and we urge our Member of Parliament and Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make a statement on these shocking crimes and to announce measures of early intervention to prevent a person ever reaching for a knife to commit a crime.”