‘No Place for Knives’ campaign launches in Westminster and Croydon

The Home Office launched the "No Place for Knives" campaign on 2 November 2026. It aims to warn people most at risk of committing knife crime that police activity is stepping up in selected areas.

Where and how

The campaign is being piloted in parts of Westminster and Croydon in London. Adverts will appear at tube stations, at bus stops and on social media. A mural has also been created at Boxpark Croydon. The pilot also covers Birmingham city centre.

The Home Office developed the campaign with police and local authorities. According to the department, young people's input was used in its development.

Police action the campaign highlights

The adverts are meant to raise awareness of increased police activity, including:

• smarter metal detection,
• rapid response e-bikes,
• extra foot patrols,
• live facial recognition.

Funding and figures

Westminster, Croydon and 16 other Greater London boroughs have received over £8.1 million in total from the Knife Crime Concentrations Fund. The money funds targeted measures, including prevention such as youth outreach and visible safety patrols in busy night-time economy areas.

The government says that since the General Election knife crime has fallen by 11% across the UK, knife-related homicides by 25% and knife-enabled robbery by 18%. In London the falls are 14%, 34% and 19% respectively. Metropolitan Police Commander Pete Stevens added that knife-enabled crime in London fell by 14.9% in the last financial year, and that over five years the number of people hospitalised after attacks with a sharp weapon has fallen by 29%.

Comments

Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones said the campaign shows that "action is being taken", and that the government will not accept young lives and communities being put at risk. The campaign is part of the government's goal of halving knife crime within a decade.

The charity Crimestoppers reminded people that anyone with information about knife carrying can report it completely anonymously. The Ben Kinsella Trust welcomed the campaign, and its chief executive Patrick Green praised the involvement of young people's voices.

What this means for you

For now the campaign covers selected locations in London and Birmingham city centre. People who live in or visit these places may notice more policing, including live facial recognition and metal detection checks. Anonymous reports about knives can be made through Crimestoppers.