Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said police are currently "losing the battle" against knife crime, urging Theresa May to hold a Cobra emergency committee meeting. Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire programme, he called for a determination "to do whatever it takes" to tackle the issue.
Official figures show knife crime in England and Wales reached a nine-year high in 2018. The government has pledged an extra £100m for police forces to address the problem. Mr Blair, who was Labour leader from 1997 to 2007, said the fight could be won with absolute focus from the top of government.
There have been several fatal teenage stabbings this month, including two 17-year-olds killed in separate attacks in London and Greater Manchester. Mr Blair said there was "an emergency on our streets, because it's creating a climate of fear", adding that he was more worried about his own children.
He defended stop and search powers, saying they must be used with cultural sensitivity but that communities most affected by knife crime are sensitive to these questions. In 2007, he said violent crime predominantly affected the black community, a comment he stands by, arguing that failing to deal with it because it is located in that community is discriminatory.
Mr Blair recalled calling a Cobra meeting in 2002 to tackle a street crime epidemic, which included key figures and front-line officers. He suggested a similar approach now would produce an itemised list of actions covering police powers, community engagement and the court system.
The Home Office said it was working hard on many fronts, including a £200m Youth Endowment Fund to steer young people away from violence. It added that its Serious Violence Strategy combines early intervention and strong law enforcement.
