A 15in machete-sized blade was seized off a boy, 16, in a shocking example of how knife crime has soared
THIS 15in knife was seized by police from a boy of 16 in a shocking example of knife crime.
The machete-style blade was found in the teenager’s rucksack after cops were called to a fight between boys outside a girls’ school.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Officers attended and a male, aged 16, believed to have been involved in the fight was stopped.
"When searched, a knife with a 15 inch blade was found in his rucksack.
"He was arrested. Inquiries into the circumstances continue.”
The seizure in Sydenham, South East London, last Friday was eight days after another huge blade was seized from a boy of 14 in nearby Lewisham.
Former Met detective chief inspector Mick Neville said the seizures highlighted the need for more stop and searches to combat knife crime.
He said: “This shows the dangerous weapons carried by youngsters, some barely in their teens.
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"This is great work by front-line officers. But they must have the support of senior officers to conduct stop and search.”
The Met has launched investigations into 65 murders so far this year — 44 of them featuring knives.
There were 115 homicides in London during 2017.
A new violent crimes task force with 120 officers was set up by the force last month.
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