A blog by Lotte Lawson, Neighbourhood Watch Youth Council Member
This week is Knife Crime Awareness Week. Violent crime is not only an issue for young people, but also a growing concern across all communities. I decided to investigate current trends and examine the important work being done around the country to tackle it.
1 in 4 young people are affected
According to the Youth Endowment Fund, last year 509 young people were admitted to hospital due to knife crime-related injuries. 15,542 young people committed violence offences, which is a 9% increase on the previous year. The issue is so widespread that a 2024 government report found that 1 in 4 young people have been a victim or perpetrator of violent crime.
So what's driving this increase? One significant cause of youth violence appears to be fear. The Home Affairs Committee on Knife Crime found that 85% of young people who carry knives do so for protection – and this has been backed up by testimony from both young people and police.
Fifteen-year-old Donate from southeast London told the BBC that "fists are not going to keep you safe – that's why people carry knives." Although he's not part of a gang, he has carried a knife and feels that boys carry knives to protect themselves from each other.
Worryingly, the profile of knife carriers is changing. Increasingly, incidents have no connection with gangs, which makes it harder for police to identify and target those responsible.
What interventions work?
Several initiatives I've researched appear to be making a real difference.
DIVERT uses a trauma-based approach to break the cycle of crime. By treating police custody as a 'teachable moment', coaches work in custody suites with people aged 18-25, helping them find education and employment to prevent future offending.
Both participants and staff report that DIVERT has helped reduce reoffending behaviour. Other positive impacts include improved mental wellbeing and increased motivation to access educational opportunities and support.
Operation Divan, run by North Yorkshire Police, aims to reduce knife-carrying by raising awareness among under-18s identified as at risk of committing crime.
Evaluation shows that Operation Divan effectively engages young people involved in, or at risk of, knife crime. It improves young people's understanding of the consequences of carrying weapons whilst also improving relationships between police and young people.
The Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) from Northamptonshire Police takes a holistic approach. Gang members who choose to change their behaviour receive support from life coaches, employment advisers and youth workers. Analysis suggests that under-18s who engaged with CIRV made genuine progress in resolving issues around housing, health and life skills.
Avon Police's Think Family early intervention scheme provides multi-agency support to troubled families. Police and community support officers work with families to understand their difficulties and identify practical help. This preventative approach targets low-level problems before they escalate.
Change can happen
These projects represent just a selection of the work happening nationwide. But we all have a part to play in combating knife crime effectively. The key message for me is that engaging young people through targeted interventions is essential. Strategies such as early intervention, community policing, education and youth-focused programmes can and do make a real difference.
It's inspiring to see good work happening across the country. If you're interested in Knife Crime Awareness Week, you can find out more here.
If you're passionate about reducing crime and promoting community resilience, the Neighbourhood Watch Youth Council is recruiting now – find out more and apply before 30 May.