3 minute read
AT THE SHARP EDGE OF KNIFE CRIME
from TAG 2022
Halting the inexorable increase in knife crime
Knives. The UK’s most accessible weapons. Tag gives an insight into the expanding world of knife crime and shows how the police can tackle the issue and even how you can avoid falling into it. We have interviewed a police investigator showing how they are dealing with it and we examine stats and facts about how and where knife crime is expanding and the current state of the problem in this country.
In the last 10 years knife crime has risen hugely in the
UK. Doubling from 23,000 incidents in 2013–14 to 46,000 in 2019–20. Why is this happening and who is to blame for it?
Should we put all the blame on teens and young people?
Being so accessible, knives are a huge problem. In one year knives/sharp objects were the most used means in UK killings, nearly three times higher than others.
Out of 44 police forces in the UK 43 of them recorded a rise in crimes involving a knife since 2011. In 2017–18 around half the offences which involved a knife or sharp object ended in assault and injury with 43% linked with robberies and around 1% leading to death. The Tag age group are one of the main targets when it comes to knife crime and in the 12 months from March 2019 to March 2020 23 people aged 17 or under were killed in the UK with many more seriously injured.
How can knife crime be prevented?
When asked how can schools deter children from getting into knife crime, Inspector Sarah Taylor of Sussex Police said ‘Schools should be educating about the dangers of knife carrying. Young people carrying knives for protection are likely to use it if confronted. 99% of people aged between 10–29 do not carry a knife but the fear of crime leads young people to believe they may need one. Schools, parents and the police can help to quell this fear and explain the consequences.
“Despite popular belief, carrying it for protection is not a defence. Also countries like the USA and Canada are unlikely to accept you into the country to visit if you have a criminal record and this ban usually lasts forever.” When asked how can parents help keep their kids from falling into that world Inspector Taylor said “Check your kitchen drawers, are any knives missing? Most young people will take a knife from home. Tell them you are a safe person to confide in and help them understand the risks of their behaviour. Try and spot the signs that they might be carrying a knife or getting involved in a group that might do this.
How do I report knife crime if I suspect it?
“There are places you can report these worries and get advice such as Fearless.org.” When asked how the police can tackle the issue this is what the inspector said “Police work within schools to help educate young people on the dangers of knife carrying. We also have an engagement van that can visit schools that has videos playing of young people that carried knives and got caught.
“We are currently running Op Safety across Sussex which has used violent crime data to identify hotspots and these are regularly patrolled. Evidence has shown that regular patrols in these specific areas can reduce violent crime there by up to 80%. This will be because visible police mean offenders will choose not to commit offences in this location but it also helps people feel safe, meaning less people are likely to feel the need to carry a weapon. Sweeps in high probability areas to find knives reporting of crime in the press is frequent and social media will have an impact too because young people may share the ideas about weapons to each other online.”
As knives are so accessible it is dificult to see how this problem can easily be stopped. However it is hoped by education in schools and unglamorising the carrying of knives, eventually the trend will begin to reverse.
Jack Metcalfe Design: Sam Angel Photography: Joe Grinstead
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Fearless.org www.sussex.police.uk
