MP calls for tougher action on knife crime
A Conservative MP says that Government needs to be tougher on knife crime, as she raised the death of a young man in her constituency in Parliament.
Suzanne Webb, MP for Stourbridge, said there needed to be a tougher stance on "all aspects" of knife crime, and not just sentencing.
She raised the subject with policing minister Kit Malthouse in the Commons this week, and referred to the death of Ryan Passey, 24, who was stabbed to death in Chicago's nightclub in Stourbridge in 2017.
The Passey family are campaigning for a change in the law to compel juries to explain their decision where there is a perceived "perverse" verdict.
Recent figures showed the West Midlands has the fastest growing knife crime rate in the country.
Ms Webb said: “In 2017, my constituent Ryan Passey was killed with a knife inside a nightclub in Stourbridge. Absurdly, the perpetrator was acquitted.
“I am grateful for the work done by the Government so far on sentencing, but does the minister agree that we need to be tough not just on sentencing, but on all aspects that have thus far allowed the perpetrators of knife crime to go free?
In reply, Mr Malthouse said: “My honourable friend raises a terrible case. The family of Mr Passey have our deep condolences.
"My honourable friend is quite right that we need to concentrate on every aspect of this, from enforcement through to prevention and, frankly, long-term work with young people that shows them that carrying a knife is dangerous not only to others, but fundamentally to themselves.
"There is a better way. We all need to stand shoulder to shoulder with my honourable friend and her constituents to show young people that way in life.”
On the Passey family campaign, Ms Webb added: “I fully support the Justice for Ryan Passey campaign and I will continue to help Ryan’s family to highlight this terrible tragedy as a warning that knife crime destroys lives and that this is an injustice.
“I will also continue to lobby for a change in the law around the carrying of knives and self-defence in addition to supporting the family’s desire to see if the law can be changed to ensure juries must give a reason for their verdict in certain circumstances.”