The increase in knife crime among youth in the UK has become a pressing concern. Factors such as poverty, social exclusion, gang involvement, and lack of opportunities contribute to this rise. Young people often carry knives for perceived self-protection or status, but this exacerbates violence. Urban areas, particularly in cities like London, see the highest rates. Government initiatives, such as increased policing, awareness campaigns, and youth intervention programmes, aim to tackle the issue. However, addressing the root causes—poverty, education, and community support—remains crucial for long-term solutions.
At Harmony, we take the issue of knife crime very seriously, as it directly impacts the safety and wellbeing of young people in our community. Sadly, we have observed a concerning rise in knife-related incidents within our local borough, reflecting a broader national trend.
In response, we recently hosted a think tank evening that brought together prominent individuals deeply committed to tackling this critical issue. This gathering served as a platform for sharing insights, experiences, and ideas. It allowed diverse voices—from community leaders to youth advocates—to collaboratively explore practical actions that could address both the violence itself and its underlying causes.
The discussions emphasised the importance of prevention through education, community engagement, and support for young people at risk. Together, we aim to develop strategies that not only reduce knife crime but also foster a culture of nonviolence, understanding, and opportunity for youth in our borough. This event marked the beginning of a unified effort to tackle knife crime and its root causes head-on.
Our event and overarching mission are driven by Harmony’s Founder, Mr. Charlie Barrett, whose extensive experience in youth work spans over 20 years. Mr. Barrett has dedicated his career to addressing the challenges faced by young people, making it his personal mission to combat anti-social behaviour and, in particular, knife crime.
Under his leadership, Harmony remains committed to creating safe, supportive spaces for young people while working tirelessly to tackle the root causes of violence. Through education, mentorship, and community initiatives, Mr. Barrett and the Harmony team strive to empower youth, reduce harm, and promote a future free from the shadow of knife crime.
This briefing looks at statistics on knife crime in England and Wales. It uses police recorded crime data to evaluate trends over time and to compare knife crime between police force areas, with a section focussing specifically on knife crime in London. Sentencing statistics are also used to look at outcomes of proven posession offences. The final section of this briefing examines NHS hospital data to supplement police and court data.
Police Recorded Crime
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data on crimes recorded by police involving a knife or sharp instrument for a selection of serious violent offences.
In the year ending March 2023, there were around 50,500 offences involving a sharp instrument in England and Wales (excluding Devon & Cornwall). This was 4.7% higher than in 2021/22 but 7% lower than in 2019/20.
Knife crime by police force area
ONS data shows that in 2022/23, West Midlands Police recorded the highest rate of 178 offences per 100,000 population. In contrast, the North Yorkshire recorded the lowest rate of 35 offences each, per 100,000 population.
Proven offences and offenders
Sentencing statistics from the Ministry of Justice shows that in the year ending March 2023, there were just over 19,000 cautions and convictions made for possession of a knife or offensive weapon. Juveniles (aged 10-17) were the offenders in around 18% of cases.
Hospital admissions
Police and courts crime data depends on offences being reported to the authorities, which is a weakness. To get a more rounded view on knife crime it is useful to supplement this information with alternative sources such as NHS hospital data.Data from NHS Digital shows there were 3,775 “hospital episodes” recorded in English hospitals in 2022/23 due to assault by a sharp object. This was a 9.5% decrease compared to 2021/22, and a 3.6% increase compared to 2014/15.
