2009 press releases

10th July: Lewes MP calls for action as knife convictions in Sussex double since 1998

Local MP Norman Baker has called on the government to act after figures highlighted by the Lib Dems have shown that the number of convictions for carrying a knife in Sussex has increased by 112% since 1998.

The figures, unveiled in an answer to a Lib Dem Parliamentary Question this week, show that there were 66 convictions for carrying a knife in Sussex in 1998. By contrast, there were 140 convictions in 2007, meaning that the number of convictions has more than doubled in a decade.

In total, there were 1105 convictions for carrying a knife in Sussex between 1998 and 2007. The increase in Sussex was also far higher than average; nationwide, there was an overall increase of 62%.

Norman Baker commented:

"These damaging figures highlight the worrying rise of knife crime in Sussex, and also the terrible extent of the knife crime epidemic sweeping the country.

"However, the government are doing very little to help police combat such crimes in areas such as Sussex.

"The government must drop pointless and expensive schemes such as ID cards, which will waste billions.

"Instead, we need an increased number of police on the streets to help residents feel safe in areas like Sussex , and to help deal with these increasingly common crimes."

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