Almost 30% increase in people carrying knife in Greater Manchester

The number of people across Greater Manchester who've been arrested for carrying a knife has increased by almost 30%.

Figures from Greater Manchester Police show from February 2024 to January 2025, there were 1384 arrests for possession of a knife.

From February 2023, to January 2024, this figure was 1066 - showing an increase of 29.8%.

Greater Manchester Police said: "This is down to a number of factors but includes proactive policing in attending more incidents, getting more reports but actively targeting and getting more suspects in possession of a knife too."

Kemoy Walker's nephew, Prince Walker, was 17-years-old when he was stabbed to death in Moss Side last April.

Kemoy is also an assistant head teacher in South Manchester and runs a youth club.

He said knife crime is impacting the younger generation: "Young people come and talk to me about it and they're saying they've heard from friend who has been able to access a website where they've been able to buy a knife, and it's been shipped the same day and they've received it the next day.

"It's disgusting and its disappointing!"

"You have a lot of young people that are seriously worried, that want to do something about this.

"They're coming to me, asking for advice support and guidance, but also they want to be that voice now, and they want to speak to their younger peers.

"A lot of them think no one cares. The system isn't working for them. A lot of our young people have given up, they've really given up...

"As youth workers we're trying to make sure we can support, where we can.

"We're lucky that in Moss Side, we've got 'The Powerhouse', 'Hideaway' and a few other youth projects that are here, that's why you probably don't hear a lot about crime in areas like Moss Side as much anymore.

"We're doing work with young people, we're doing positive work... In other areas across the UK, they're not as fortunate, and that's why we're having incidents of knife crime, and gang crime in other communities."

Last week, the Home Office announced more regulations surrounding knife crime such as stricter rules for online retailers selling knives.

They're also introducing tougher penalties for failing to enforce them.