Birmingham stabbings: ‘Knife crime is an emergency’ – police chief

A West Midlands Police boss has declared knife crime “an emergency” after three teens were stabbed to death within 12 days in Birmingham.

Chief Constable Dave Thompson said stop and searches would be stepped up and more officers would patrol the streets amid the “crisis”.

There have been 269 knife crimes recorded in the city so far this year.

Police also urged more help from parents and teachers to tackle the violence among youngsters.

The spate of killings in Birmingham follows knife crime attacks in London, where there have been 12 fatal stabbings in 2019.

Mr Thompson, who was with Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson outside the scene of a teen stabbing at a charity shop in Birmingham, pledged extra patrols with additional officers in certain areas.

He said: “Immediate and intensive action is needed to prevent this current crisis from continuing. My officers have been given extensive powers to search people without the need to suspect they are carrying weapons.

“I recognise this will upset some innocent young people, but I fear the carriage of weapons in the current environment is growing, often through fear, and we can take no chances.

“For our young people, their families and communities we need to stop this emergency quickly. Without specific areas or people to target that means blunt action to prevent violence.”

Read the full story here: (BBC News)