Lib Dems reveal 89 incidents on Surrey rail network in last 3 years

The Lib Dems have revealed there were 89 incidents involving offensive weapons on trains or at rail stations in Surrey since 2017. Guildford, Redhill and Woking each were home to 9 such incidents.

Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP has said the new figures "show the utter failure of Tory Ministers to keep people safe from crimes involving offensive weapons, especially knives."

Figures uncovered by the Lib Dems under freedom of information reveal there have been a total of 1840 incidents across the country in 2019, up from 1268 in 2017. In the last three years there was a total of 5173.

In response, the party has called for more community policing, more youth services and a proper public health approach to serious violence.

Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesperson, Christine Jardine MP, said:

"These alarming figures show the utter failure of Tory Ministers to keep people safe from crimes involving offensive weapons, especially knives."

"Officers should be given the resources they need to do their job and keep our communities safe. That is why Lib Dems are calling for more community policing, more youth services and a proper public health approach to serious violence."

Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster, added:

"The country is in the grip of an epidemic of serious violence, and we urgently need real solutions. Instead, all the Tories can offer are the same old policies that fail to make our communities safer."

"If the Home Secretary is determined to tackle knife crime, then we need action not rhetoric."