230 most harmful areas for knife crime in UK recognized with plans to extend CCTV and police patrols

Police chiefs have identified more than 230 small areas in England and Wales with the highest concentration of knife crime, with targeted measures set to be brought in to save lives

View 5 Images

Britain’s most dangerous streets will have CCTV and police patrols ramped up in a move hailed by bereaved families.

More than 230 places with the highest concentration of knife crime will also get better lighting, redesigns to stop weapons being hidden and support to steer young people away from violence, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said. It comes as Home Office data reveals robberies involving a blade have dropped by almost a quarter in seven hotspot areas since the general election.

Police chiefs have identified 236 worst-hit areas in England and Wales using a process called Hex mapping – which breaks down data into small areas of around a kilometre. Greater Manchester has 23, the West Midlands 22 and London 18, data shared with The Mirror shows.

Ms Mahmood said: “Targeted policing and prevention, focused on the areas where the need is greatest, is already cutting knife robberies by nearly a quarter. That means safer streets, and fewer lives lost.

“I am now taking this approach to more than 230 areas across the country. This Government is getting tough on knife crime and on the causes of knife crime to make our communities safer.”

The mum of a teen stabbed to death at school said the boost was “amazing” that the Government had listened to her calls for action. Caroline Willgoose from Sheffield has been campaigning about a knife crime ‘epidemic’ since her son Harvey was murdered.

She told The Mirror: “This is Harvey’s doing, it’s his legacy. I am glad they have included South Yorkshire too. This has been keeping me going and it’s like Harvey is pushing me, trying to pick me up, to stop this from happening.

“Knife crime is sickening and it seems to affect the same age group: 15, 16 and 17. I hope this stops anyone else from dying like Harvey did. I’m relieved the Government has listened to us.

“You hear about knife crime every day now. Peope are realising it’s not just a gang issue, it can affect anyone’s child, anyone’s son or anyone’s daughter or anyone’s friend. And if it does, it can be devastating to families.”

Harvey Willgoose, 15, from Sheffield was stabbed to death by classmate Mohammed Umar Khan, who was also 15. Khan had taken the knife to school to inflict the deadly blows but it was not the first time he had gone to lessons armed.

He was detained for life with a minimum term of 16 years for the lunch break murder of Harvey at All Saints Catholic High School in February 2025.

On Thursday Ms Mahmood met three mums whose sons were killed using knives. Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell, whose son Dwayne was attacked as he tried to help a friend in Brixton, South London, said: “What stands out to me is that this is not only about policies, policing or statistics.

“There is a human approach at the heart of it, one that recognises the value of every young life and understands the devastating impact violence has on families and communities. As a bereaved mother, that matters deeply to me.”

And Pooja Kanda, mum of Ronan – who was fatally stabbed with a ninja sword in a harrowing case of mistaken identity in 2022 – said: “These reductions are encouraging, but I am even more encouraged by the Home Secretary’s commitment to targeted action in areas experiencing the greatest harm.

“Enforcement is vital, but sitting equally alongside prevention and early intervention – reaching young people before violence sets in and addressing the circumstances that allow it to develop.”

Ms Mahmood also met campaigner Lynne Baird, mum of 26-year-old murder victim Daniel Baird. Lynne said: “Our vision is in line with the government’s – stop the violence where we can. Prevention saves lives. Preparedness saves lives too.”

The Home Office said each area identified will have their own tailored plan. Police will work with local authorities, NHS and support groups to help divert youngsters away from crime.

Ms Mahmood pointed to success to crackdowns in seven forces which saw robberies with knives fall 23% since June 2024 – equivalent to 3,600 fewer cases. It follows intense hotspot work by the Met Police, West Midlands Police, Greater Manchester Police, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, Avon and Somerset Police and British Transport Police.

In April the government launched a £26.25 million Knife Crime Concentration Fund (KCCF) to support the 27 worst-affected forces in England and Wales.

Where are the identified hotspots?

The 236 hotspots have been identified across 27 police forces. Because many of them are very small, the Home Office has not released full details, but here is the number in each affected area:

Avon & Somerset – 11

Bedfordshire -4

Cambridgeshire – 1

Cleveland – 5

Derbyshire – 5

Devon & Cornwall – 7

Essex – 6

Greater Manchester – 23

Hampshire – 13

Hertfordshire – 6

Humberside – 7

Kent – 10

Lancashire – 10

Leicestershire – 4

Merseyside – 5

Metropolitan Police – 18

Northamptonshire – 4

Northumbria – 6

Nottinghamshire – 8

South Wales – 6

South Yorkshire – 7

Staffordshire – 8

Sussex – 4

Thames Valley – 16

West Mercia – 11

West Midlands – 22

West Yorkshire – 9