Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal is calling on the government to increase its efforts to tackle serious violence and knife crime in light of devastating local incidents.
Ms Uppal raised the matter at Prime Minister’s questions, speaking of its importance to local people. Here, she paid tribute to Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim, who was tragically killed in April, noting that “his life was cruelly taken away in what the police described as an unprovoked and motiveless attack.”
The MP pressed the Prime Minister to commit to redoubling efforts to tackle serious violence and knife crime through more visible policing, stronger prevention and investment in youth services.
In response, the Prime Minister said that through the “Crime and Policing Bill, we are increasing penalties for the illegal sale of knives and giving police new powers to seize knives likely to be used for violence or cause harm”.
He also highlighted how the government had “launched a coalition to tackle knife crime, to bring together campaigners and community leaders to tackle the root causes of knife crime and help protect the next generation.”
Since being elected to be MP for Huddersfield in July 2024, Ms Uppal has consistently raised the issue of youth violence and knife crime with the government, including hosting a debate titled “Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support” in February 2025.
Speaking after PMQs, she said: “My deepest sympathies are with Ahmad’s family and friends. No one should ever have to endure the pain and devastation of losing a loved one in such awful circumstances. The consequences of serious violence and knife crime are always tragic – lives destroyed, families devastated, and communities torn apart. Tackling it must be a priority for all of us.
“Some important steps are taking place including increasing police presence in town centres, the development of youth hubs and bringing forward legislation to combat knife crime. But I know there is more to do to ensure people are safe and feel safe in towns like ours. I will continue to do all I can to raise this at the highest levels.
“I want to thank West Yorkshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their swift action in bringing this case forward and delivering justice. We owe it to Ahmad’s family, to all those families affected by serious violence and knife crime, and to our whole community, to stop this cycle of violence.”
