The New Statesman: politics and culture Huntingdon train attack: knife crime in suburbia
Nov 4, 2025
Anoush Chakelian, a political journalist focused on crime trends, joins Rachel Cunliffe, a commentator on local politics, to tackle the alarming rise of knife crime in suburban England. They explore how these violent incidents are reshaping public perceptions and police priorities. Rachel reveals that despite increased visibility, overall knife crime rates may be falling, while social media amplifies public fear. The duo also connects cuts to mental health services with rising violence, shedding light on the broader societal issues at play.
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Knife Crime Moves Into Suburbia
- Knife crime is shifting from inner cities into suburbia and provincial areas, raising public fear across communities.
- County lines and drug-related violence spread into places without policing experience or resources to cope.
Visible Decline Fuels Fear
- Local decline in services and visible decay make suburban residents feel exposed to crime they didn't expect.
- This perception links economic neglect and broken public realms to rising fear and political discontent.
Low-Level Crime Feels Bigger
- Low-level crimes like shoplifting and phone snatching now feel more threatening because they're more visible and sometimes organised.
- Organised theft feeds public perception that crime is random and growing, even if overall rates differ.