12% rise in knife crime proves Government must end forces' budget cuts

Responding to the release of Government statistics which show a 12% rise in knife crime, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said "The Tories always tell us that the Government's first duty is to keep people safe. On their own terms, they are failing."

Ed added "Unnecessary Conservative police cuts have left fewer officers on our streets and made communities less safe. The Home Office's own analysis shows that police cuts have likely contributed to the rise in serious violent crime, yet the Conservatives continue to squeeze forces' budgets. The Liberal Democrats demand better for our communities and our police. We will end the Conservative cuts and invest an extra £300 million a year to recruit more officers, boost community policing and reverse the rise in serious violence."