Knife injury admissions in Bedford more than double in five years

Admissions to hospital for injuries resulting from knife injuries have more than doubled over five years figures have shown.

The figures, highlighted by Bedford and Kempston's Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner, Henry Vann, show that there were 30 admissions to Bedford Hospital in 2008/09 for knife related injuries compared to just 21 in the previous year, and 13 in 2004/05.

Henry Vann said:

"These figures show a deeply worrying trend which has seen knife injury admissions more than double over the past five years.

"There are many reasons for increases in hospital admissions, and obviously not every admission is the result of crime, but this is a worrying indication that things are still not going to plan in the fight against knife crime."

Henry went on to highlight recent figures suggestion police forces may have to cut officer numbers:

"It is absolutely absurd that in the last few weeks we have been told that our police numbers may even have to be cut.

"Bedfordshire police need more money, not less, and Bedford and Kempston - and the whole borough, needs this help now.

"The Liberal Democrats would scrap the costly national identity database - which is still going ahead despite the government conceding that compulsory ID Cards were a waste of time - and use that money to put more officers on our streets, fighting crime and doing what they do best.

"Out police officers do a superb job on the front line, and they need our support on the front line."