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CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD Criminal Justice System: working together for the public
Down Tools CIC: 12601386
Down Tools.
-What’s it all about? You have probably heard a lot about knife crime in the news, but you may have had very little other information about it. Whether your life is directly affected by knife crime or not, it is important to understand it and to think about what we can all do to help reduce it.
We have made this booklet to: Give you accurate information and tell you the truth, about knife crime. Make sure you know what the law says. Explain how you can avoid becoming involved with knives.
Help you to stay safe on the streets. Tell you how to defend yourself against a knife attack and how to deal with a knife wound.
We don’t want to scare you or sensationalise knife crime. We don’t want to make you worried that it will happen to you. There is very little knife crime in most areas of this country. Above all we want you to think about what you can do about knife crime. We explain how you can help by talking to, and educating, other young people and adults about it. We also tell you how you can become active in your school or community to help change things for the better. You don’t have to read this booklet all in one go. You can dip in and out of it when you feel like. Think about knife crime. Talk about it and get involved to help reduce it.
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What is knife crime?
-Stabbing is not the only crime. Possibly half of all stabbings are not reported to the police and many young victims do not even tell their parents. In some areas a lot of young people do not trust the police to protect
How much knife crime is there?
them and feel that if they report crimes they will be attacked for also telling on other young people. Also, people don’t always answer honestly in surveys.
Knife crime is...
Carrying a No-one knows for sure, but we do know that in recent years:
Carrying a knife in a public place, without good reason.
More young people are carrying knives
Selling a knife to an under 18-year-old.
Stabbings and killings have increased
Threatening or stabbing someone with a knife.
It’s mainly young men who carry knives and stab people.
Robbery or burglary where the thief carries a knife as a weapon.
It’s mainly young men who are stabbed and killed with knives.
For more information about knife laws and illegal knives see page 8.
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Knife crime numbers.
-How it stacks up. 31%
61%
11 to 16 year olds in school said they had carried a knife at some point in the previous year.
Young people excluded from school said they had carried a knife at some point in the previous year.
21%
20%
Young people excluded from school said they had threatened someone with a knife.
16 year old boys said they had attacked someone, with or without a knife.
44,500
In one year there were more than 44,500 cases recorded of people being stabbed
16,000 to 17,000 robbery offences recorded every year involving knives
5,000
Recorded hospital admissions for stabbing run at approximately 5,000 a year
In one year police recorded 3000 threats to kill with a knife and over 400 rape and sexual assault cases involving knifes.
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17,000
3,000
From Jan 2018 – May 2019 385 people have been murdered with a knife each year in England and Wales
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Carrying a knife does not mean much. It could be someone going fishing and it could have just been once.
Modern Knives.
-So many differant types. Why me, why me whhhhy me? I don’t want to talk now, can’t you see? Just leave me alone. I’m on the phone You bore me mate, just go home. Boring, boring, everything’s boring don’t wake me up, just leave me snoring. You’re “Chockerin” my head, too many voices, don’t know what to do, too many choices Too many things to think about. I can’t keep it in, I’ve got to shout. I Feel like me head’s the Echo Arena. I can’t swill it out, i need a
cleaner, Pressure’s building. Higher and higher, Spinning around like a Michelin Tyre.
silence. Mixed up messages all my life, If i live by the sword. ...must i die by the knife?
What do i want, my hearts desire. My heads burnt out, it’s in the fire. You say that god loves a trier, but I’ve tried so hard.
Or can i get off this roundabout. To find out what life’s really about. Or will i always be, that nearly kid?
She, he’s a liar, I’m a tennis ball, going back and forth. My brains gone south, body in the North. How can i change who i am knowing nothing else. Since in the pram, childhood gifts of anger and violence. Imprisoned praise, released as
The one who’s almost... But never did Like a football player, without the kick. The bionic man being poorly sick. Am i just a Prime Donna who cares too much? About rep and honour, The face in the mirror, that stare back at me. Isn’t the person, i wanted to be.
By Laura Walsh
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Who uses knives and why?
-It’s mainly young men living in poor areas. Why do young people carry knives? Fear- they worry they will be attacked and think carrying a knife will protect them. Fashion and status – it makes them feel important, hard and powerful, and gives them the respect of other young people and gang members.
Why do they stab people? Some carry a knife but don’t think they are going to use it. But in the heat of the moment they stab someone when they did not intend to. Some plan to stab people when they want revenge for something that has been done to them or said about them, Some think they will look big and get respect from other young people, especially gang members, if they stab someone. If they are drunk or high on drugs they are more likely to lash out.
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-Knife crime is mainly in poor, inner-city areas. Poverty and lack of hope.
Who uses knives?
Knife crime mainly occurs in the poorest, most run-down parts of cities. Although most young people in these areas manage to overcome the difficulties in their lives, some are unable to do so.
Statistics show that it is mainly young men living in poor areas.
These young people may feel that no one cares about them and not care much about anyone else, including themselves. Their friends, or a gang, may seem like their only security. Their strong feelings of anger, fear resentment and hopelessness may mean they feel that violence and carrying a knife is normal. Other young people then become scared of them and start to carry knives themselves.
It involves White, Black and Asian young people. It’s mainly to do with poverty, not race or colour.
They are also more likely to be the victims of knife crime.
A few young women carry knives and threaten people with them. Some have also helped men to stab other people. And young women have been stabbed, including by boyfriends.
But most young people in these areas find a way to feel OK about themselves and their future, despite the difficulties they face. No matter where you live, try to stay aware and positive. You don’t have to become a victim of your circumstances, And have a look at the suggestions we have made about good ways of dealing with anger on page 15 of this booklet.
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What does the law say?
-The info on what’s legal and what isn’t. It’s illegal to... Carry most types of knives in public, without good reason. This includes folding pocket knives with a blade more than 3 inches long. Possess or sell any type of knife that is banned by the government – see which types are banned in the list below. Use any knife, or sharp instrument, to threaten, cut or stab someone. Sell most types of knives to anyone ages under 18-years-old. This includes folding pocket knives whit a blade more than 3 inches long, kitchen knives and razor blades that are not permanently held in a cartridge.
Advertise or sell any knife in a way that encourages violent behaviour. The law says having a knife to protect yourself, or looking after it for someone else, are NOT acceptable reasons to carry a knife. A good reason for carrying a knife, such as for work as a chef or carpenter or for going fishing, may not always be accepted in a court. It will depend on the situation and why it is being carried. You can get up to 4 years in prison, and a fine of up to £5,000, for carrying a knife, without a good reason, and a lot more if you injure or kill someone with a knife.
Banned knives include Flick knives
Hand claws
Shuriken (death stars or throwing stars)
Butterfly knives
Foot claws
Kusari-gamma (sickle attached to a rope)
Disguised knives
Belt buckle knives
Kyoketsu-shoge (hook knife on a rope)
Gravity knives
Push daggers
Kusari (weight attached to a rope)
Swordsticks
Kubotan (cylinder containing spikes)
Samurai swords 08 8
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Stop and search on the streets.
-Do you know your rights? The police are allowed to stop and search people on the street if they believe that knives, other weapons, drugs or stolen property are being carried. They should not stop you because of your age, race or the way you look. If you are stopped, the police should tell you their name, which police station they work at, why they are stopping you and what they are looking for. If they are not in uniform they should show you their identity card. They can search your outer clothing, get you to take off your coat, jacket or gloves, ask you to turn out your pockets or search your bag. They can also search cars. If they want to search under your clothing they must take you to a police station.
If they find a knife, or something else illegal at this point, they will arrest you. If they don’t find anything, they will record your details and let you go. You don’t have to give your name, address or age but they may pressure you to do so. You are less likely to get into trouble if you are polite and co-operate with the police. Even if you think the police are being unfair, try to stay cool. If you are not treated properly you can complain directly to the police or through your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
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The police are allowed to stop and search people on the street if they believe that knives, other weapons, drugs or stolen property are being carried.
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Young lives lost.
-Young people killed, mainly by young killers. Over the last few years hundreds of young people have been killed by knives in the UK. Most have been young men. Some have been young women. Many have been under 20 years old. Some of their names are on these pages. It is difficult to imagine what it must be like for their parents, brothers and sisters grandparents, boy and girlfriends and their friends... Can broken hearts ever mend?
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The killers have mainly been young men. Some have been caught and are locked up in jail for many years to come. Some have never been caught. What can that be like for the killer’s parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, boy and girlfriends and their friends?
And for those people who might have stopped the killings, or actually helped the killers to kill, feelings of guilt and regret. Some of the killers may not seem to care about what they have done. Some have even been seen laughing about it. But deep down they will have to live the rest of their lives with the terrible truth about what they have done.
JADEN MOODIE – 14
NEDIM BILGIN – 17
LEJEAN RECHARDS – 19
SIDALI
MOHAMED – 16 ABDULLAH MUHAMMAD – 17 KAMALI GABBIDON-LYNCK - 19 CONNOR BROWN – 19 HAZRAT UMAR – 18 JODIE CHESNEY – 17 YOUSEF MAKKI – 17 AYUB HASSAN – 17 ABDIRASHID MOHAMOUD – 17 JORDAN MOAZAMI – 18 PROMISE HASSAN
NKENDA –
18
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17
LYNDON
TASHAUN DAVIS
–
AIRD 18
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15
ALEX
ABDIKARIM DAVIES
–
18
ELLIE GOULD - 17 MCCAULAY JUNIOR URUGBEZI-EDWARDS – 18 KYLE WHITLEY - 18 BABACAR DIAGNE - 15 LOUIS JOHNSON - 16 SOLOMON SMALL - 18 ASHLEY HORTON – 16 BEN HITCHCOCK – 16 CARL ASIEDU – 19 LOUISE EVANS – 18 LUKE HOWARD – 16 ROBERT COWAN – 19 SHEVON WILSON – 17 SIAN SIMPSON – 18 ABU SHAHIN – 18 ADAM PATON – 17 ADAM PERVAIZ – 18 AGNES SINA-INAKOJU – 16 ALEX HOLROYD – 19 ALIZA MIRZA – 18 AMRO ELBADAWI – 14 ANTON HYMAN – 17 ANTONY WALKER – 18 BODUKU MUDIANGA – 18 BORIS REAVEY – 19 CHARLES HENDRICKS – 18 OLUKOREDE FAJINMI – 17 GLUWASEYI OGUNYEMI – 16 ROB KNOX – 18 SABRINA LARBI-CHERIF - 19 SHANE JACKSON – 15 SHANE PRICE – 19 STEPHEN BROACHIE – 17 THOMAS GRANT – 19 ZAC OLUMEGBON – 15 MARK SMITH – 16 MICHAEL MCCARTHY – 17 MICHAEL JONES – 18 MICHELLE STEWART – 17 MOHAMMED AHMED – 17 NICHOLAS PEARTON - 16 NILANTHAN MURODI – 17 RIZWAN DARBAR – 17 SAMANTHA MADGIN – 18 STUART LOWNDS – 18 SUNDAY ESSIET – 15 TYLER JUETT – 17 WAHAB ZAAKI – 16 CHARLIE WRIGHT – 17 MICHAEL WRIGHT – 17 WESLEY STERLING – 16 MARCIN BILASZEWSKI – 19
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It’s time to Down Tools.
-Ten reasons not to carry a knife.
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You have a good chance of being injured with your own knife. A lot of knife injuries are caused by the victim’s own knife being turned on them.
If your enemies think, or know, you carry a knife, they are more likely to carry a knife and injure you first.
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You might end up seriously hurting or even killing someone, when you had not intended to.
You are more likely to be a target if you carry a knife.
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You can’t think straight if you carry a knife.
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Just because other people carry knives does not mean you have to. Don’t just follow the crowd. Be your own man.
It’s a crime to carry a knife – up to 4 years in prison and a £5,000 fine – and the penalties can be even greater if you threaten, injure or kill someone with it.
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You can learn to defend yourself without a knife, or any other weapon.
It might make you feel safer short term, but its likely to make you more anxious longer term.
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07
09
Carrying a knife isn’t a good way to protect yourself.
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Anger and knives.
-Rage can kill. Everyone can get angry when they are frustrated, criticized, treated badly or feel threatened. We may also feel angry when we are really sad, lonely or frightened and can’t deal with our feelings. Normally anger is a healthy response. Most people can control their anger and don’t hurt themselves or other people.
Are you a violent person? Do you often? • Feel life has treated you unfairly?
When anger becomes a full-blown rage our judgment and thinking goes and we can do crazy things that we often later regret.
• Get angry without knowing why?
Some people turn their anger on themselves and get depressed or self harm. A lot of women do that.
• Feel alone and mistrust other people?
Some people turn their anger on to other people and become aggressive and violent. A lot of men do that. And it is usually angry men who use knives and stab people.
• Feel frustrated?
• Feel you want to hurt other people? • Feel like you are going to explode? • Act before you think? • Get jealous and possessive? • Not trust yourself?
If you can answer yes to these questions, you need to do something about your anger.
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What can you do with your anger?
-Kill the rage. You may have good reasons for being angry... very angry. But what are you going to do with your anger?
The man problem.
Rather than hurting yourself, or other people, you can stop... and find out what your anger is really about and learn ways to control it.
Men can have a big anger problem if they...
You might... • Learn to be honest with yourself so you can understand yourself better and why you are angry. • Make sure you don’t punish yourself or anyone else because of it. • Talk about your true feelings to a trusted friend or a counselor. • Get your anger out by hitting a punch bag or cushions. • Regularly do a physical activity or sport that will help you let off steam. • Get involved in something positive like music, art, a campaign or community group. • Learn to manage your anger and how to relax more.
• Don’t talk to other people about how they really feel • See loving and caring as a weakness • Don’t ever cry • Don’t admit to making mistakes • Don’t care about themselves or other people • Push people around and bully them • Refuse to back down • Act tough to try to hide their true feelings. • Feel better by making other people feel bad.
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How knives kill.
-Even a small kitchen knife can kill.
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Some young men have thought they would just scare or injure people with a knife but ended up killing them.
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Knife attacks can cause serious injury and bleeding. A single stab does not always kill but repeated stabbings can easily kill. People are usually stabbed in the chest, neck or back. The slicing of veins and arteries results in heavy blood loss and this in itself is enough to kill. Puncturing the vital organs – stomach, intestines, liver, kidney or heart – can cause death from organ failure.
Defensive wounds, as people try to ward off attacks with their hands and arms, can result in more blood loss. Knives kill people through blood loss, organ failure and/or shock. A stab wound to any part of the body can be fatal.
Dealing with a stab wound.
-Knowing how to act quickly can save a life. Main aim: To stop or reduce the blood loss and get the person to hospital as quickly as possible. Call 999 for an ambulance as soon as you can. Explain the details of the injury. If there is still a blade embedded in the wound do not touch it or try to remove it. Moving it will make the bleeding worse.
01
Apply pressure to the wound.
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Bandage the wound.
Remove or cut any clothing covering the wound.
If you can, carefully apply a bandage over the padding.
Apply some padding to the wound. A clean towel or a piece of clothing will do.
Keep applying pressure to the wound.
Put pressure over the wound and push the edges of the wound together. If the blade is still in the wound, take care not to push it in more – press either side of it.
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Make them comfortable.
Help them to lie down. Cover them with a blanket or coat to keep them warm. Raise and support their legs above the level of their heart to help reduce shock. Monitor their pulse and breathing If they are conscious, reassure them and stay with them till the ambulance arrives.
If the wound is to an arm or leg, raise the injured limb above the level of the heart to slow down the blood flow.
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How to stay safe on the streets.
-Think... Feel... and take care. Think ahead and plan your journey.
Stay alert and beware.
If possible go out with someone else, rather than alone.
Don’t wear headphones or have a long phone call when you are walking – be able to hear.
Avoid deserted or dark streets, parks and alleyways, if you can.
Use your intuition – if it feels scary, get away quick.
If you can, avoid being with people who are likely to attract trouble.
If you see or sense trouble ahead, turn around.
Avoid being with people who are carrying knives. You could be arrested with them even though you aren’t carrying a knife. Get a personal alarm. They are not just for women. Tell a parent, friend, brother or sister where you are going.
Don’t attract attention. Don’t be flashy with money or mobile phones or too gobby. Keep your phone, iPod, purse or wallet out of sight and your bag closed or zipped up.
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Remember, being drunk on alcohol or high on drugs makes you less safe.
Avoid confrontation. Be prepared to walk away rather than getting into an argument or fight. If you are in a confrontation, try to calmly talk your way out of it. Avoid an aggressive stance – crossed arms, hands on hips or a raised arm – or touching someone unnecessarily.
Defend yourself from a knife attack.
-It’s not easy to do, but... If Someone swings a blade at you: Try to move out of the way and dodge the attack.
If you are threatened with a knife: Try to get away as soon as you can. Try to stay calm
Try to block the knife using an object – a stick, bag, chair, book etc If you can’t run block or deflect the attack with an object, turn sideways the avoid the blade.
If you can’t get away, and the attacker wants your phone or money give it to them. Things can be replaced. YOU can’t. Make it clear you don’t want a fight.
Try to move your hand in a circular motion to try to grab the attacker’s wrist, so they drop the knife.
Don’t crowd them. Keep a distance if you can. shout for help to draw people to the scene.
Try to force the attacker’s hand against a wall, a heavy object or your knee, so they drop the knife. Try to push, punch or kick the attacker away from you. Report the attack – see page 23.
There are lots of films on the internet about defending yourself against a knife attack. Some are ok but some are unrealistic and rubbish. If you are worried about being attacked learn unarmed self defence or martial arts. There are lots of good instructors and classes that teach you how to be confident and how to defend yourself, without needing a weapon.
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-What should be done about knife crime? Teach young people about the terrible consequences of using knives. BUT – Will the young people who need to hear this be able to hear it? Are we just speaking to the converted?
Tougher laws and harsher sentences will deter young men from carrying knives and using them. BUT – Will it stop them? Could it make knives even more glamorous to some young men?
Build strong communities and better facilities for young people. BUT – It takes time and money and where is that going to come from?
Encourage young people to hand in their knives. BUT – There would still be millions of knives around. Every home in the country has knives in that can kill.
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-What do you think about these ideas? Reduce inequality and have better jobs, education and housing in poor areas so young people see a decent future and turn their back on crime. BUT – It would cost a lot of money, the better off would have to pay more taxes and it would take time to have an affect.
Some young men need father figures they can look up to and talk to. BUT – Who will be these role models and will young men listen and talk to them?
Give the police more powers to stop and arrest young people. BUT – The police already have powers and giving them more might alternate the young people, we are trying to influence.
Reach out to young people who are in gangs and get them back into normal society BUT – That will take a lot of work, who will do it and what can they offer young people as an alternative to gangs?
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What you can do about knife crime.
-There are lot’s of things you can do. Don’t carry a knife.
Support people.
Learn more.
If you need to protect yourself learn self defence and how to keep yourself safe on the streets without a weapon.
Give support to people who have been victims of knife crime or who are witnesses in knife crime cases.
Read this booklet and look at the websites we have listed on the back.
Persuade other people not to carry knives.
Report knife crime.
Campaign against knife crime.
If you are threatened or stabbed with a knife, report it. If you know someone who carries a knife, and you think they are going to use it, report it. If you see someone threatening, or stabbing someone else with a knife, report it.
Support local petitions and raffles against knife crime. Go to local community, council or police meetings about knife crime and say what you think.
Choose the right moment to talk to them, probably when you are by yourselves. Explain that you are concerned about their safety and are not trying to get them into trouble. Stay calm and listen to what they have to say. Show them this booklet.
Talk about it to other people.
Educate other young people.
Children, young people and adults. Find out what they think. Tell them what you think.
Help to arrange talks by someone who knows about knife crime, get involved in art, music, film and theatre projects in schools or local youth and community organisations.
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Get involved. Get involved in your community and help to build a better future.
Reporting knife crime. You can report knife crime to an adult you trust or directly to the police. If you wish, you can report it through Crimestoppers, without giving your name. Telephone 0800 555 111. They won’t ask for your name, or personal details, and they can’t trace and don’t record, your telephone call. Text to 88551. They can’t trace you from your mobile and, if you wish, you can delete the text you sent after you send it. www.crimestoppers-uk.org and email the information to them on their secure online forum. They can’t trace you from a computer and, if you want, you can delete the page from the computer you use.
Support for victims and witnesses of knife crime. Victim support has projects all over the country and can help and support victims of crime and witnesses. They can be contacted at www.victimsupport.org.uk or by phoning 0845 3030 900.
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www.downtools.org for more information