The latest figures show that knife crime has risen to an all time high and it is particularly rife in Hackney.

Temi Mwale works with young people in inner city areas to combat knife crime. She believes that police racism is to blame for Hackney’s knife crime problem. “Young black men are stopped and searched more than their white peers which is leading to more problems”.

Hackney Councillor, Patrick Vernon believes that the new knife crime figures tell a larger story. He told City News that he believes “knife crime incidents are linked to young men using knives as a form of protection and I think it’s linked ot the drugs industry”.

According to Mr Vernon, the solution to Hackney’s crime rates is about giving people opportunities. He said, “we need to create opportunities for young people otherwise they will make the wrong life choices”.

Detective Chief Superintendent, Kevin Southworth sent this statement to City News.

“We are constantly reviewing our tactics to better address how we tackle knife crime.

As a result of our education programmes and targeted work in different boroughs we have successfully managed to reduce the amount of gang-related crime.

The most recent phase of Operation Sceptre in January involved nearly 900 activites across the capital and we have similar proactive activity planned throughout the year”.