Local Priorities Knife Crime Message - MetEngage St Marys and St James

I wanted to provide an update regarding knife crime, which some members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

 

We are aware that many people may be worried about knife crime in their local communities. We are committed to tackling knife crime wherever we find it, in order to keep you safe.  

 

If you would like to know more about the guidance that is available, our website includes a number of important resources that can offer guidance,  including what to do if you think someone you know needs help,  how to keep people safe, and support organisations you can talk to.  

 

Passing on information to organisations such as Crimestoppers or Fearless can not only help after a crime or incident, but vitally stop something from happening.

On Saturday 14th March, the St Mary's and St James policing team were on mobile patrol in the ward when they identified a male who had been involved in a robbery and common assaults earlier in the month. These offences took place on Sidcup High Street.

As a result, officers stopped and searched the male, and found that he was in possession of a knife and drugs.

The male was arrested and taken to Bexleyheath custody. He was later charged with possession of a knife and drugs. Investigations are ongoing.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.  

 

 We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years.

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/415323/Local-Priorities-Knife-Crime-Message 

Local Priorities Knife Crime Message - MetEngage Sidcup

I wanted to provide an update regarding knife crime, which some members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

 

We are aware that many people may be worried about knife crime in their local communities. We are committed to tackling knife crime wherever we find it, in order to keep you safe.  

 

If you would like to know more about the guidance that is available, our website includes a number of important resources that can offer guidance,  including what to do if you think someone you know needs help,  how to keep people safe, and support organisations you can talk to.  

 

Passing on information to organisations such as Crimestoppers or Fearless can not only help after a crime or incident, but vitally stop something from happening.

On Saturday 14th March 2026, your Sidcup team were carrying out mobile patrols on the ward when they identified a male who had been involved in a Robbery and Common Assault earlier this month. These offences took place Sidcup High Street and involved one of our retailers.

As a result, officers stopped and searched this male and managed to recover a knife and some drugs, which were in his possession at the time of the search.

The male was arrested taken to Bexleyheath custody and later charged for possession of a knife and drugs. Investigations are ongoing.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.  

 

 We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years.

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/415301/Local-Priorities-Knife-Crime-Message 

Beyond the Screen: How Online Safety is Helping Fight Knife Crime

Last week, as the UK observed Knife Crime Awareness Week, a crucial link was highlighted between the online world and the devastating reality of knife crime on our streets. It might not be immediately obvious, but what young people encounter online can have a very real and dangerous impact.

We've been following the developments in online safety closely, and it's clear that the new Online Safety Act has a significant role to play in tackling this serious issue.

The Digital Roots of a Real-World Problem

Research paints a worrying picture: exposure to violent content online can normalise knife carrying, especially among young people who are already at risk. Think about it – if you're constantly seeing aggressive content, glamorised violence, or discussions that trivialise the dangers of knives, it can subtly shift perceptions and make something incredibly dangerous seem, well, normal.

This isn't about blaming the internet entirely, but it's about recognising that the online environment is a powerful influence, particularly on impressionable minds. Gang-related content, videos glorifying knife violence, or even seemingly innocent posts that feature weapons can all contribute to a dangerous mindset.

The Online Safety Act: A New Weapon Against Knife Crime

This is where the Online Safety Act steps in with vital powers. Under this new legislation, online platforms now have a clear and pressing responsibility: they must protect people in the UK from content related to the sale of illegal knives and weapons.

This is a game-changer. It means social media companies, video platforms, and other online services can no longer turn a blind eye to illegal content that facilitates or encourages knife crime. They are now legally obligated to remove such material and implement measures to prevent it from appearing in the first place.

A Crucial Step in a Wider Fight

Regulating online services in this way is a vital step in preventing harmful content from reaching children, reducing the risk of real-world violence, and ultimately supporting the much wider, ongoing efforts to tackle knife crime across society.

It's not a silver bullet, but it's a powerful addition to the arsenal. By making it harder for young people to be exposed to content that normalises knife carrying or promotes the sale of illegal weapons, we can help to break a dangerous cycle.

Our Collective Responsibility

While the Online Safety Act puts the onus on platforms, we all have a role to play. Parents, educators, and community leaders must continue to have open conversations with young people about the dangers of knives and the manipulative nature of some online content. Reporting harmful material whenever you see it is also crucial.

The fight against knife crime is complex, but by addressing its online dimensions, we can create a safer environment for our young people and ultimately, safer communities for everyone in the UK.

Source: Ofcom (20 May 2025)

Invitation to Neighbourhood Watch Free Crime Prevention Webinars

Our free webinars are open to everyone and are designed to keep you informed about a range of topics. The following webinars will run in February 2023.

1. PREVENTING BURGLARY WITH WIDEN: Inspector Matt Coe is going to lead us through a webinar on burglary prevention and the importance of keeping your property safe and working with your neighbours.
2. UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS: Back by popular demand, Paul Maskall will host a fireside chat on the psychology of scams and explain why scammers are so effective at their crimes. This fascinating insight into the way cybercriminals identify targets, often using data sold to them by other criminals, execute scams which use emotional blackmail and rational reasoning. Although a scary topic, the much better news is that he will teach you how to question and swiftly deal with approaches from the criminal fraternity. This is an unmissable opportunity to learn more about cybercrime and fraud.
3. EXPLOITATION, GANGS AND KNIFE CRIME AWARENESS FOR PARENTS AND CARERS: Parents and carers will gain a greater understanding and awareness of gangs, knife crime and how to keep young people safe. Parenting children and young adults is hard. Sometimes it can be scary and overwhelming, with news stories and social media influencing how safe we feel our children are and the risks they may face in today’s climate. These two workshops help you learn more about what is regular teenage behaviour and what might be signs that a young person in your care is vulnerable to being groomed or exploited by others. Please try to attend both sessions so book both.

Click the webinar name to book your place

• Tues 14th Feb, 1-2pm: Preventing burglary with WIDEN with Sergeant Matt Coe, Crime Prevention, London Safety Centre

• Wed 15th Feb, 330-4.30pm: Understanding the psychology behind scams, Paul Maskall from the Fraud & Cyber Crime Prevention Manager, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)

• Tues 21st Feb,7-9pm: Exploitation, Gangs & Knife Crime Awareness: Free online course for parents and carers - session 1 hosted by The Ben Kinsella Trust and they will be facilitated by Anoushka Dunic and Patrick Green (book session 1 and 2)

• Wed 22nd, 6-7pm: Preventing burglary with WIDEN with Sergeant Matt Coe, Crime Prevention, London Safety Centre

• Tues 28th Feb, 5.30-6.30pm: Understanding the psychology behind scams with Paul Maskall and Catriona Still from the Fraud & Cyber Crime Prevention Manager, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)

•  Tues 28th Feb, 7-9pm: Exploitation, Gangs & Knife Crime Awareness: Free online course for parents and carers - session 2 hosted by The Ben Kinsella Trust and they will be facilitated by Anoushka Dunic and Patrick Green (book session 1 and 2).

Worst knife crime stats in London revealed

 In a recent publication by the Daily Mail (26-12-2022), "London's WORST boroughs for knife crime revealed: Capital had more reports of bladed weapons than any other city in 12 months at 13,405 - with Southwark, Westminster and Croydon having the most dangerous streets." (gdpr)

Knife Crime Offence Count: 5,740 from the Official MPS Crime Data Dashboard for the period June 2022 - October 2022, revealed the following stats (no particular order) of some worst London boroughs compared to some local boroughs in comparison:

• Westminster - 330
• Croydon - 338
• Kensington & Chelsea - 102
• Southwark - 348
• Greenwich - 159
• Islington - 162
• Bexley - 90
• Bromley - 102

The links navigate to the Met data knife crime dashboard where more detailed information can be viewed of the volumes by crime type.

Bexley knife crime stats June 2022-October 2022 screenshot

[Click screenshot to view enlarged]