Knife crime has risen 23% across England and Wales. Yesterday I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate about tougher sentences for knife crime. Local families whose loved ones have been attacked tell me that longer sentences would be a deterrent and could encourage more witnesses to come forward who currently fear reprisals when offenders are released.

Last week the Prime Minister claimed that dealing with Brexit prevented tackling knife crime. People deserve to be kept safe whatever parliamentary business is taking place. Any competent Government would tackle crime and manage other matters. Theresa May has admitted using Brexit as an excuse for ‘Neglexit’ – neglecting other issues, especially knife crime and is letting our community and country down.