CYP Now - Ofsted commends council response to 'alarming' knife crime increase

Children's services in a London borough are facing a major challenge due to an increase in violent knife crime, but are starting to deal with the problem more effectively, Ofsted has said.

The inspectorate, which visited Tower Hamlets at the start of May, said the local authority has experienced 13 knife-related incidents linked to drug-related gang activity, and involving young and vulnerable boys and girls, in the space of just six weeks, describing the increase as 'alarming'.

However, it said the council is doing some good work to deal with the issue and protect children, while actively seeking to do more to help and support schools.

Ofsted said young people involved with knife incidents in Tower Hamlets are often sexually and criminally exploited children, those missing from home and care, and young people associated with gangs.

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