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Kingston upon Thames is facing a concerning rise in knife-related incidents, with a 38% increase recorded in the past year, according to recent statistics. In response, UK Police have launched a crucial Knife Crime Awareness Week, running from Monday 18th May to Sunday 24th May, urging the community to take a stand against this preventable issue.
Monday 18th May marks the start of Knife Crime Awareness Week, hosted by the Ben Kinsella Trust. This initiative calls upon families, businesses, and local authorities to unite and demonstrate that knife crime can be prevented. The police are increasing activity to investigate and deter crime in neighbourhoods.
Residents can play a vital part in keeping streets safe by disposing of unwanted knives. An amnesty bin, offering a safe and anonymous way to remove weapons, is located outside the Kingsmill Business Park on Chapel Mill Road, Kingston, KT1 3GZ. Kingsmill Business Park is situated just off Villiers Road, south-east of Kingston town centre, and is easily accessible from Kingston, Surbiton, Norbiton, and Berrylands railway stations.
While Kingston upon Thames boasts an overall crime rate of 61 crimes per 1,000 people in 2026, making it 26% lower than the London average and among the top 10 safest boroughs, knife crime remains a serious concern. The borough recorded 135 knife-related incidents in the year to March 2025, up from 98 the previous year. Possession of weapons offences also saw a slight increase, with 92 recorded in 2026.
The Metropolitan Police emphasise that the most effective way to prevent knife crime is to never carry a blade, as carrying a knife for "protection" actually increases the risk of injury. Official advice includes avoiding physical confrontations and walking away if a situation escalates. It is crucial to remember that carrying a knife in public without a good reason is a serious criminal offence. Parents and carers can find helpful resources on knife crime training via the Ben Kinsella Trust website.
If you have information about knife crime, you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website, http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Fearless.org also provides a safe place to give information about crime 100% anonymously. For those affected by knife crime, support is available from organisations such as Victim Support, which offers a helpline on 0845 30 30 900. The St Giles Trust provides prevention, intervention, and long-term support for young people at risk. KnifeSavers is a not-for-profit programme that empowers people to deal with bleeding caused by knife injuries through education and bleed control kits.
OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on an official press release issued by a UK Police Force. Document: Taking a Stand Against Knife Crime Together - KNIFE CRIME AWARENESS WEEK 18-24 MAY Source Link: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/441952/Taking-a-Stand-Against-Knife-Crime-Together---KNIFE-CRIME-AWARENESS-WEEK-18-24-MAY
Worried about 'forever chemicals' in your London tap water? A massive new study reveals these persistent pollutants are indeed present, but before you panic, experts say the levels are well within safety limits. Phew!
This major analysis, led by Imperial College London, is the largest of its kind for a UK city, offering vital reassurance.
Often called 'forever chemicals', PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of tough, long-lasting manufactured chemicals. They are used in countless products, from non-stick pans to food packaging.
These chemicals break down very slowly, meaning they can build up in our environment and bodies over time. There have been concerns about their potential long-term health impacts, like links to certain cancers and thyroid disease.
The study, conducted in 2024, took a 'citizen science' approach. Researchers sent sample kits to 89 households across 28 London Boroughs, collecting nearly 8,000 measurements. They also tested 12 public drinking water fountains.
Out of 38 PFAS compounds tested, 11 were detected.
Crucially, all individual PFAS compounds were found at concentrations ranging from 0.6 ng/L to 6.0 ng/L. This is well below the 10 ng/L 'Tier 1' threshold set by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
The total PFAS in any single sample ranged from 3 ng/L to 35 ng/L. This too was safely within the DWI’s 100 ng/L low-risk threshold.
These levels are also well within EU Drinking Water Directive limits, providing further peace of mind.
Dr Alexandra Richardson, lead author from Imperial College London's School of Public Health, wants to allay fears.
She said: "People might be concerned to know that these chemicals are present in our drinking water, but it's crucial to understand the amounts we're talking about are tiny." She explained further: "To put these levels in context, 4 nanograms per litre is equivalent to dissolving one sugar cube in 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water."
Professor Leon Barron, another principal investigator, highlighted the quality of UK water.
He commented: "We have some of the best municipal tap water quality in the world. Only about 20% of the tolerable weekly intake of PFAS came from tap water."
While the findings are encouraging, experts stress the need for continued independent monitoring. This is essential to ensure safe limits are never breached and to understand the long-term effects of these chemicals.
Dr Frédéric Piel from Imperial added that new PFAS compounds are still being developed. He stressed: "It is essential to keep monitoring their presence in the environment and in our bodies to study potential long-term health risks."
Imperial and partners launched the UNSaFE project in 2025. This initiative will develop new testing methods and investigate how PFAS persist in the environment.
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OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from University Newsroom. Document: Major survey of London tap water shows 'forever chemicals’ within safe limits Source Link: [Read the official report from University Newsroom](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/articles/2026/major-survey-of-london-tap-water-shows-forever-chemicals-within-safe-limits/)