Key Points:

• A 12-inch black flick knife was found in a children’s play area in Passive Close, Beam Park, Rainham.
• The knife was discovered by Beam Park HRA Team members Carol and Rob Baker during a community litter pick.
• They also collected dozens of rubbish bags, including 38 canisters of Fast Gas, commonly misused by young people.
• Havering has experienced a significant increase in knife crime since 2014.
• In 2017, knife crime offences in Havering rose by 121% compared to 2014.
• Recent data from 2023 indicates Havering’s overall crime rate is slightly lower than London’s average.
• Romford Town Centre has seen a major rise in knife-related incidents, making it a high-risk area.
• Public concern over knife crime in Havering has doubled according to a recent MOPAC survey.

Knife Found in Havering’s Rainham Play Park During Litter Pick

Community safety concerns rise as weapon discovered in children’s area

A 12-inch black flick knife was discovered in a children’s play area in Passive Close, Beam Park, Rainham, raising fresh concerns about knife crime in Havering. The shocking find was made by Beam Park HRA Team members Carol and Rob Baker while they were conducting a routine litter pick.

Carol and Rob, who regularly clean up the local area, gathered dozens of bags of rubbish during their efforts, including 38 canisters of Fast Gas, a substance frequently misused by young people for inhalation through balloons.

How bad is knife crime in Havering?

Knife crime has been on the rise in Havering for nearly a decade. Since 2014, reported offences have increased dramatically:

• As of July 2017, there were 276 recorded knife crime offences in Havering, marking a 121% rise from 2014 figures.
• Knife crime resulting in injury also increased by 67% between 2014 and 2017, with cases jumping from 51 to 85.
• In the 12 months ending June 2018, Havering reported 334 knife crimes, with nearly one-third leading to injuries.

What are the recent crime trends in Havering?

While Havering’s overall crime rate stood at 100 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2023—4.3% lower than the London average—specific areas have seen troubling spikes in knife-related incidents.

Which areas in Havering are most affected by knife crime?

Certain neighbourhoods remain hot spots for knife-related offences:

• Romford Town Centre has seen a notable rise in knife-related incidents, accounting for 20.50% (68 cases) of the borough’s total knife crime offences.
• Gooshays Ward ranks as the second-highest area affected by knife-related crimes.

What does the public think about knife crime in Havering?

Recent surveys suggest growing public concern over knife-related violence:

• A MOPAC survey found that 27% of Havering residents now consider knife crime a major issue—double the previous figure.

Authorities call for community vigilance

The discovery of the knife in a children’s play area highlights ongoing concerns over youth safety in the borough. Community-led initiatives, such as Carol and Rob Baker’s litter-picking efforts, play a crucial role in keeping public spaces safer.

Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious findings to law enforcement to combat rising knife crime in the borough.