Sajid Javid 'deeply concerned' at spiralling levels of violent crime but warns there is no single solution
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman
Sajid Javid has said he is "deeply concerned" by spiralling levels of violent crime and warned that it will take action on "many fronts" to tackle.
The home secretary argued that increased police numbers alone would not solve the problem.
His comments came during a walkabout with officers in West Midlands Police, just hours after three males were arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old in West Kensington on Thursday.
The government is coming under increased pressure to act following the latest spate of violence, with 17-year-olds Jodie Chesney and Yousef Makki stabbed to death in separate incidents over the weekend.
Mr Javid said he wished there was a simple, sole solution, but warned that this was not the case.
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"It's going to require action on many fronts. I wish there was only one thing that could be done, but really many different things need to be done," Mr Javid said.
"It's about making sure our police have the resources that they need - that's why I'm pleased that they've welcomed the almost extra £1 billion that they're getting this year.
"It's about early intervention as well. We want to make sure that, especially with younger people, that there are projects, social projects and others where you can get involved early to stop people turning to a life of crime in the first place.
"It's also about law enforcement and powers and that's why we have the Offensive Weapons Bill in Parliament, and it's also why I support police when they want to take measures such as stop-and -search."
The home secretary said that the problem required a "whole of government" approach, and insisted he would listen to demands from police forces.
"I'm listening to police officers all the time," he said
"This week I had a meeting at the Home Office of seven of our largest forces and I was listening to them about what they want to see.
"I will absolutely, totally keep doing that. What we need to do at a time like this, especially when so many people are worried, so many families are worried about their loved ones, is make sure that we are working together and doing everything that we possibly can."
People in Birmingham stopped the Home Secretary earlier to ask him about knife crime.
Determined to get her voice heard, Carol Howells shouted at Mr Javid: "Bring the b***** hanging back, and hang these b******* that are killing the youngsters."
Fiona Raychell, whose two children had been "mugged at knifepoint", asked Mr Javid what is being done about the cuts to police as well as youth services.
She found the cuts "appalling" and said: "It's not okay, my children shouldn't be at risk and they are because of these cuts."
Dave Clark said the Tory party aren't doing enough to tackle knifecrime before adding: "Why don't they bring conscription back?"
"Make men of them, not murderers," he said.
Speaking of the Serious Violence Taskforce, Mr Javid said he was getting input from a variety of departments, including health, education and local government.
He said: "It's not just about law enforcement.
"When we're dealing with something as important as knife crime and serious violence, it's a whole of government approach that's required."