Idris Elba joined Sir Keir Starmer as he laid out Labour’s “moral mission” to reduce knife crime in the capital.
The Labour leader said tackling the problem would be an “absolute priority” for his government if his party wins the general election on July 4.
He vowed to halve offences over the next 10 years as he hosted a round table with victim’s families and campaigners in Hammersmith this morning.
Knife-related incidents have risen by 81 per cent since 2015 across England and Wales.
The Metropolitan Police recorded 14,577 offences in the 12 months to December 2023, Home Office data shows.
Labour said it will increase penalties for carrying a blade - including custody in the most serious cases, as well as extending the list of banned knives.
Luther star Mr Elba has been a prominent campaigner on the issue and earlier this launched the “Don’t Stop Your Future” crusade calling for increased government urgency to tackle the problem.
The actor said this “isn’t about politics” for him and he had met with Sir Keir several times to discuss the issue.
“We want to see some joined up thinking long term, he said.
He added: “The long term play is all about joined up thinking. It's all about how we figure out all these components between the hospitals, the schools, the colleges, the police, [and] the homes of parents.”
Yemi Hughes, the mother of 19-year-old Andre Aderemi who was murdered in a violent attack in Croydon in 2016, told Sir Keir: “We need to make surethat they know that if they do what they’re doing something serious is going to happen. The knife is the weapon the person behind it is where this starts.”
The family of Ronan Kanda, who was murdered close to his home in Wolverhampton in June 2022, also joined the campaign event this morning. His mother said: “I’ve been campaigning but nothing has changed… Im grateful that you’re listening.”
Labour’s proposals include creating a new cross-government “coalition”, which will include input from families of victims and survivors of stabbings, along with tech companies and other organisations.
Sir Keir also pledged to chair an annual knife crime summit to track the progress and ensure reduction targets are on track.
“Cutting knife crime will be a moral mission for the next Labour government,” Sir Keir said.
Labour will also appeal to all parties to work together on the issue.
“Knife crime is an issue above and beyond party politics,” Sir Keir added.
“Our new cross-government coalition will put knife crime victims and their families at the heart of government, working with us to take the strongest action in a generation to end this tragic crime.
“For the parents grieving sons and daughters who never came home, action to end this scourge cannot wait.
“Far too often we hear the same stories from grieving families who have been subject to these brutal murders carried out by children.
“It is our duty as political leaders of all stripes to work together to end knife crime and keep our young people safe.”
The party also plans to introduce a new “Young Futures” programme to support young people in local communities.
Tory policing minister Chris Philp said the Government had cut crime by more than 50 per cent since 2010 and attacked Sir Keir’s record as leader of the Crown Prosecution Service.
“The Conservatives have cut crime by 54 per cent since 2010 and recruited 20,000 more police since 2019,” he said.
“We are going even further with our plan to recruit 8,000 more police officers.
“The choice at the election is clear: cracking down on crime with Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives, or back to square one with Keir Starmer.”
In London, there are around 20 key contests on July 4.
The Evening Standard has drawn up an interactive map of all 75 constituencies across the capital.
