Focus on knife crime
Committee member Dr Sue Baskind explores knife crime: Why is it rising among young people and what is being done to address it.
25 July 2023
Share this page
Our committee meeting in June was held in Nottingham on the eve of the vigil for three people who had been stabbed to death in a random knife attack. The whole country seemed impacted by these sad, senseless deaths.
Committee members reflected that knife crime generally has been on the rise over the past few years despite being a persistent police priority and one which disproportionately impacts young people and disadvantaged people.
Figures for 2022 from the Office of National Statistics in England and Wales evidences this rise:
- 6 per cent increase in knife crime.
- 49,265 police-recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument.
- 282 murders involving a knife or sharp instrument in the 12 months. This is the highest total since 1946.
- 99 young people aged under 25 were murdered with a knife or sharp. Thirteen were aged under 16.
Why the rise in knife crimes amongst young people?
Gang culture has gone under the radar, redefining itself as a ruthless and violent drugs business along county lines; one where visible signs of gang membership are no longer desirable as they can attract attention and have the potential to affect the marketplace. Family ties, such as having an older sibling or family member in or connected with a gang, appears a huge influence on primary school-age pupils and may be one of the most direct ways for a child to become involved.
More widely, children and young people are now more aware of what happens through social media, and can often see filmed events, even as they are happening. They often cite being upset and scared by what they hear and feel they need to carry a knife for protection.
The Children's Commissioner's report Keeping Kids Safe urgently calls for us to 'learn from the mistakes of child sexual exploitation by treating children as victims not perpetrators'. Changing the language we use from 'gang affiliated' to 'criminally exploited' is an important step in educating public perception to the problem.
Dr Carlene Firmin at the University of Bedfordshire's Contextual Safeguarding Network proposed a contextual safeguarding approach recognising that young people are influenced by a whole range of environments and people outside of their family. The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) reinforces this approach and reiterates the protective factors of strengthening effective multi-agency working.
They advocate maintaining supportive school relationships with at risk families and vulnerable children in primary school settings, engaging at the local community level as well as considering wider interventions on a national scale.
Addressing / preventing knife crime
In May 2019, the May government, with crossbench support, set aside £35 million to fund 18 Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) in English and Welsh police forces. The results are award-winning exhibition and knife crime resources which educate young people in the dangers of knife crime, and help them to make positive choices to stay safe. Here are a few resources:
No more knives or county lines
Are you involved in work with victims of knife crime?
The committee are curious about whether section members are involved in preventative or therapeutic work with victims of knife crime. Would a webinar or conference be helpful?
If you have any comments or further useful training or resources that would be interesting to members, please email [email protected]