London polygraph to deter future crime

London polygraphs are being used in a series of police cases during interrogations. Police are also using polygraph testing as a terms of release for sex offenders. With the use of lie detector testing becoming more apparent within the UK police force communities are questioning if crime rates will drop. The community feel safer knowing that younger offenders are deterred by the idea that they will have to take a polygraph test in future interrogations.

London statistics

A recreational space where young children would usually play after school is now doubling as a scene in “London’s violence epidemic”, covered in police tape with air ambulance positioned to lift the victim to emergency care.

London recorded its deadliest year for homicides after a 16-year-old teenager was stabbed to death in the capital on 30 December. He was the 30th killed in 2021 – the previous high was 29 in 2008.

Knife incidents occur at least three times a week, but police insist this number would be significantly higher without their proactive efforts to tackle the issue. This includes attempts to disrupt violence between gangs based in New Addington council estates.

Tension runs high

However, patrolling police reported aggravation and annoyance towards them. Immediately noticing the unit’s unmarked police car, young people moved to vacate the area. They had no wish to engage with police on any level. When stopping a car possibly linked to the crime, the frustration and anger were apparent among the three young people. The three black males were infuriated that they were being searched and unable to know the full reasons why.

No drugs or weapons were recovered in the search. The tactic has been criticised by some experts but officers defended its importance to getting dangerous weapons off the street. The longest siren run of the evening involved racing across the borough. The police searched for a knife after a headteacher called warning that a violent ex-pupil was harassing students outside the school. By the time police arrived in the south Croydon area, almost 20 minutes away, the individual was nowhere to be seen.

The story hitting headlines today

Hawa Haragakizam’s 15-year-old son Tamim was stabbed to death in Woolwich, south London. The event took place last summer on his way back from school. “What is the government doing? What are people doing? Are we going to normalise this monster behaviour?” Ms Haragakizam said. She added that Tamim’s friends have needed counselling since his death. Whenever she can she says she picks his friends up from school to keep them safe.

“I was so proud of him: he had ambitions, he loved his friends, he loved me. I feel like we have to do something. It’s painful to see parents going through this. People are in fear and they don’t know what to do,” Ms Haragakizam continued.

More cases

Shaun Patterson’s 16-year-old son Drekwon was stabbed to death in Brent in February. He said the streets are not safe for young people. “Something’s not right if so many killings can take place,”. Communities are concerned when these events happen there is a lack of media coverage. They believe Boris won’t act on the rising issue and nothing is being done.

The government’s response

Shadow policing minister Sarah Jones has said the government had “dropped the ball” on crime and youth violence. Cuts to policing over the last decade has meant a boom in drug, knife and teenage homicides in London leading to this years record figure. f

“For many years now there’s been a big push for a public health approach that looks at violence like a disease. The police are putting in measures in prevention to stop it from spreading. However, this needs tackling head on,” the founder of the All Party-Parliamentary Group on Knife Crime and Violence Reduction said.

The Metropolitan Police’s response

Commander Alex Murray is the Metropolitan’s Police lead on violent crime. He stated that although there had been a decline in knife and gun offences in 2021, more had to be done to build trust with communities. Murray also explained police cuts, social media and poverty as contributing factors to violence.

“Cuts are still an issue. There’s not enough money to go round. We’ve had recessions and Covid – everyone has to make choices. Yes, it would be great to have universal youth provision everywhere but local authorities have limited money,” Mr Murray said.

He added: “Young people from black communities trust police less than average. Just where the trust needs to be greatest it’s most fragile. We need to spend time building relationships with families and charities and NGOs showing that our motivations are good.”

Are Polygraph tests the answer?

Police are undergoing new training and investing into lie detector equipment. They hope that using polygraph tests more often during interrogations will help deter future crimes. Regular polygraph testing has now become part of release terms for sex offenders. The surrounding communities have had a high response rate to polygraph testing being used more widely within the police. People feel having science to back up the judgement of an individual helps make the process more fair and less personal.

Read more on this years crime reports on the GB News Website.

If you are concerned your child could be involved with a gang, call our free helpline today on 07572 748364. You can also book your test using our online booking system.