Exclusive: Out with the Met as they fight knife crime
The Metropolitan Police have carried out a week of action to focus on tackling knife crime.
The Metropolitan Police has carried out a week of action focussing on tackling knife crime across the city.
It's as data from the Met shows that 59% of Londoners say knife crime is their biggest concern.
The week long operation included increase searches and weapon sweeps and also undercover secret shopper operations where police cadets go into stores to see if they will sell knives to under 18's.
We sat down exclusively with Metropolitan Police Inspector Kito Johnson following a morning of action that lead to the arrest of a man linked to 2 stabbings.
He told us how useful operations like this can be for the police force.
"Focus weeks help to concentrate minds. It helps us as an organisation to pool resources and focus on one issue that matters a lot to Londoners".
Inspector Kito told us he strongly believes the police are making real progress to tackle the issue.
"In the last financial year, knife crime has dropped 17% and knife crime with injury dropped by 24%.
"Any knife incident is one too many".
Finally, the Inspector said he hoped this week of action would highlight the risk of carrying knives to those most at risk.
"It's important that we arrest these offenders and send the message that anyone carrying and using knives will not be tolerated.
"My plea to these young men is think twice, think about the longer term consequences for you, doing a stretch of 10 to 20 years, potentially life for murder.
'"If your trust in the police is lacking, and I get it I understand it, speak to teachers, speak to social workers. Using a knife or carrying a knife should not be a recourse at any time".