Debate on knife crime, House of Commons, 15 October 2025

• Knife crime is a multifaceted issue that cannot be solved through enforcement alone. Tackling root causes such as deprivation, lack of youth services and inequality is essential.
• Councils play a central role in prevention through education, early intervention and community safety partnerships, but need sustained, multi-year funding and greater weighting for deprivation in funding formulas.
• A public health approach – integrating law enforcement, social care, health and education – is the most effective way to reduce serious violence sustainably.
• Government reforms must protect local capacity. Cuts to local youth services, housing and education have eroded prevention. Stronger cross-government collaboration is vital.
• Local initiatives are making a difference, but national support, coordination and investment are essential to scale success.

• Knife crime in England has seen a notable increase over the past decade. In the year ending March 2024, there were approximately 50,500 recorded offences involving a sharp instrument in England and Wales (excluding Greater Manchester), marking a 4.4 per cent rise from the previous year and a 2.8 per cent decrease compared to 2019/20. Notably, in 2022/23, sharp instruments were used in 41 per cent of the 594 homicides recorded. Hospital admissions due to assaults with sharp objects have mirrored these trends. In 2023/24, English hospitals recorded 3,900 admissions for such assaults, a 3.3 per cent increase from the previous year and a 7 per cent rise since 2014/15.
   
• Homicides involving sharp instruments have fluctuated. In 2023/24, there were 262 such homicides, up from 243 in the previous year.
   
• The rise in knife crime has been attributed to various factors, including social inequality, gang-related activities and reductions in youth services. Efforts to combat this issue involve legislative measures, community interventions and educational programmes aimed at addressing the root causes of knife-related violence.
   
• Young black victims aged 16 to 24 made up the majority of people killed by a knife in the ten years to 2023. In 2023-24, eight in ten teenage homicide victims were killed by a knife, marking the highest percentage in a decade. Metropolitan areas, particularly London, experience higher rates of knife crime. In 2023, the Metropolitan Police recorded 29 per cent of all knife-related offences in England and Wales. Much of media attention and research focuses on London and urban communities, but knife crime in rural communities in England has also seen notable increases in recent years. Between 2010 and 2019, rural counties experienced an average rise of 45.7 per cent in knife-related offences, surpassing the 11 per cent increase observed in London during the same period. There is a lack of nation-wide research into the ethnicity of victims and perpetrators, but this is expected to vary across the country. This underlines the importance of locally tailored approaches informed by community insight.
   
• In 2023-24, eight in ten teenage homicide victims were killed by a knife, marking the highest percentage in a decade. Metropolitan areas, particularly London, experience higher rates of knife crime. In 2023, the Metropolitan Police recorded 29 per cent of all knife-related offences in England and Wales.
   
• Knife crime perpetrators in England predominantly share specific demographic characteristics. Statistics underscore the complex interplay of age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and gang involvement in understanding the profiles of knife crime perpetrators in England.
   
• Data indicates that 66.2 per cent of perpetrators are male, with most under the age of 40. Individuals aged 10 to 17 represent 20 per cent of those detained for weapons offences. In 2022, youth custody rates reached 60 detentions per 100,000 youths, nearly double the adult rate of 32 per 100,000.
   
• Much of media attention and research focuses on London and urban communities, but knife crime in rural communities in England has also seen notable increases in recent years. Between 2010 and 2019, rural counties experienced an average rise of 45.7 per cent in knife-related offences, surpassing the 11 per cent increase observed in London during the same period, although the number of actual incidents remained lower. This upward trend in rural knife crime has been partly attributed to the expansion of ‘county lines’ drug gangs, which extend their operations from urban centres into rural areas, leading to an overspill of criminal activities.

Agencies tackling knife crime in England have access to a range of resources, including government funding, legal powers, intervention programmes and partnerships.

3.1. Government funding and programmes

• Young Futures – In the Labour manifesto there was a commitment to reduce violence among young people. This has resulted in the development of Prevention Partnerships, run through predominantly Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) and associated areas. In addition, the Government is exploring the development of Young Futures Hubs with an intention to open 50 hubs by the end of the decade.
   
• Serious Violence Duty (2023) – Requires local authorities, police and other agencies to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence, including knife crime.
   
• Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) – Funded by the Home Office, these units operate in areas with high levels of violence, bringing together agencies to deliver targeted interventions.
   
• Grip Programme – Home Office-funded ‘hotspot policing’ initiative that places officers in high-crime areas to deter knife crime.
   
• Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) – £200m, 10-year investment to fund projects that prevent youth violence and knife crime.

3.2. Legal and enforcement tools

• Knife Crime Prevention Orders (KCPOs) – Civil orders designed to prevent individuals from engaging in knife-related crime.
   
• Stop and Search Powers – Used by police under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to prevent violence.
   
• Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – Strengthens laws on online knife sales, possession and delivery restrictions.

3.3. Multi-agency approaches and partnerships

• Serious Violence Taskforces – Local partnerships between police, councils, health services and community organisations.
   
• Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) – Statutory bodies that bring together councils, police and local partners to reduce crime.
   
• Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) – Provide funding for local crime prevention initiatives.
   
• Families First – The children’s services reforms look at how to tackle extra-familial harm and support children in their communities, including improving joint working with partners and other agencies. 

3.4. Education and prevention initiatives

• No More Knives Campaign – Public awareness campaign educating young people on the risks of carrying knives.
   
• Mentoring and Intervention Programmes – Projects like DIVERT, StreetDoctors and the Ben Kinsella Trust educate young people and divert them from violence.
   
• Schools-Based Prevention – Programmes like the PSHE curriculum, Safer Schools Officers and anti-knife crime workshops.

3.5. Community and third-sector support

• Charities and Youth Organisations – Groups like The Prince’s Trust, St Giles Trust and Catch22 provide mentorship and intervention for at-risk youth.
   
• Mediation and Conflict Resolution Services – Groups offering alternative dispute resolution to prevent escalation into violence.

The Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to Parliament on 25 February 2025. The Bill outlines several measures to combat knife crime in England and Wales. The Bill also introduces ‘Ronan’s Law’, named after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was fatally stabbed with a knife purchased online. This legislation focuses on preventing illegal knife sales and ensuring retailers adhere to strict verification processes. Key proposals include:

4.1. Retailer responsibilities and penalties

• Mandatory reporting – Retailers will be required to report suspicious or bulk purchases of knives, aiming to prevent the distribution of weapons to gangs or individuals with malicious intent.
   
• Enhanced sentencing – Tougher penalties are proposed for businesses and individuals found selling knives to under-18s, with company executives facing up to two years in prison if children purchase knives from their online platforms. 

4.2. Online sales regulations

• Photographic ID verification – Online knife sales will require buyers to provide photographic identification at both the purchase and delivery stages to ensure age verification and traceability. This will not be enforceable for online retailers that are not based in the UK.

4.3. Law enforcement powers

• Warrantless searches – Police will be empowered to search properties without a warrant if a stolen device has been electronically located 

In addition to the Crime and Policing Bill, the Government is also proposing further measures:

5.1. Expansion of prohibited weapons

• Ban on zombie-style knives and machetes – Following a surrender and compensation scheme in 2024, the sale and possession of these weapons are now illegal without exceptions.
   
• Prohibition of ninja swords – Prompted by campaigns from victims’ families, the Government is moving to ban these weapons, with consultations underway to define them legally.
   
• It must be noted that Trading Standards alone cannot solve the problem of knife supply in relation to knife crime because their powers and enforcement capabilities are limited. Trading Standards have a regulatory role and not that of crime prevention. Trading Standards officers ensure that retailers comply with laws on age-restricted sales and product safety. They are not equipped to deal with illegal knife sales on the streets, online black markets or gang-related supply chains. They do not have the same authority as police to investigate illegal weapons sales, track criminal networks, or conduct undercover operations.
   
• While media attention often focuses on weapons like zombie knives and machetes, Policing Insight have published these accounted for only 4 per cent of knife-related homicides in the same period. Kitchen knives are the most commonly used weapons in homicides involving sharp instruments. In the year ending March 2024, over half of such homicides were committed with kitchen knives. 

5.2. Stop and search reforms 

• The Metropolitan Police are adopting a less aggressive approach to stop and search practices, emphasising professionalism and respect to rebuild community trust.

5.3. Recognising the importance of community and preventative measures 

• Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime – Launched in collaboration with public figures like actor Idris Elba, this initiative aims to reduce youth violence and illegal online knife sales by working with community groups, tech companies and law enforcement.
   
• Young People Strategy – The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will shortly be publishing a strategy for young people. This should set out a framework on how local communities and statutory services can come together to tackle serious and violent crime among young people. 

• Knife crime cannot be successfully tackled by dealing with supply of knives alone. Councils have shown that with adequate resources and strong relationships with partners, they can positively reduce knife crime through upstream intervention.
   
• Knife crime will not disappear overnight, but with consistent investment in prevention, policing, and rehabilitation, England could see a steady and sustained reduction in knife-related offences that can contribute to the Government’s aim to half knife crime in 10 years.
   
• We must be realistic in aiming for reduction as opposed to eradication. We also need to accept that to tackle this multifaceted issued, we can only do so through a multifaceted response. Addressing knife crime needs to consider underlying causes, focusing on prevention, education and community engagement to effectively reduce such offences.
   
• The LGA’s core positions are outlined below:
  • We welcome multi-year funding settlements for local government and greater weighting of deprivation in the funding formula, but continue to make the case that underfunding of communities and resources such as youth clubs can contribute to wider societal issues such as knife crime.
  • We advocate for a public health approach to tackling knife crime, including early intervention and youth support.
  • We support stronger law enforcement and prevention through targeted policing with community support, tougher controls on online knife sale and the use of knife crime prevention orders (making strict conditions such as curfews, social media bans, mentoring requirements mandatory for repeat offenders).
  • We support the promotion of community engagement and public awareness through victim-led campaigns, showcasing personal stories to change attitudes toward carrying knives.
  • We advise Government that by combining law enforcement, social services, youth services, education and mental health support, services can support children effectively. However, we must go further and address the root causes of knife crime such as poverty, lack of opportunities, mental health issues and family instability. Integrated services provide a support system that helps young people make better life choices and reduce their involvement in crime.
  • When young people do offend, we need to ensure that the youth custody service can properly support, rehabilitate and upskill young people so they do not become involved in crime after they have been in custody. We need a child first justice system that supports young people to break away from what led them to offending in the first place.
  • We stress the critical role of councils in working with communities to provide services that help to address deprivation, social isolation and lack of opportunities to help address the demand to carry knives.

Local councils across the UK have implemented various initiatives to combat knife crime, often in collaboration with law enforcement, community organisations and Government agencies:

• Hackney Council’s Outreach and Education Programmes – In October 2024, Hackney Council, in partnership with the local police, launched a comprehensive programme aimed at preventing knife crime and robberies. This initiative includes increased outreach support, enforcement measures and educational workshops designed to engage young people and deter them from engaging in violent activities. The Council has allocated resources for community engagement and educational materials to support this programme.
   
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s Awareness Campaign – In May 2024, BCP Council initiated a major campaign to educate young people about the dangers of carrying knives. The campaign, launched during the Bank Holiday weekend, involved distributing educational materials across schools and community centres, and hosting workshops to inform youths about the legal and personal consequences of knife crime. The Council collaborated with local law enforcement and youth services, dedicating funds for campaign materials and outreach efforts.
   
• Liverpool’s Multi-Agency Operations – Liverpool City Council has been proactive in addressing knife-related offences through multi-agency operations. In December 2024, the Council coordinated a week of action targeting knife crime and street robbery. This initiative involved collaboration between the Council, Merseyside Police and community organisations to conduct enforcement activities, provide support services and engage with the public to raise awareness about the impact of knife crime. Resources were allocated for increased patrols, community outreach and support for victims.
   
• London Crime Prevention Fund – The Greater London Authority administers the London Crime Prevention Fund, which allocates funding to each London borough, enabling local councils to implement tailored strategies to combat knife crime. These strategies often include youth engagement programmes, community outreach and support services aimed at addressing the root causes of violent behaviour. Councils utilise these funds to collaborate with schools, law enforcement and community groups, ensuring a coordinated approach to prevention and intervention.
   
• Government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime – In September 2024, the Government launched a coalition to address knife crime, bringing together campaign groups, families affected by knife violence, young people and community leaders. This coalition aims to tackle the root causes of knife crime and prevent youth from being drawn into violent gangs. Local councils play a crucial role in this coalition by implementing community-based interventions, supporting educational initiatives, and facilitating partnerships between various stakeholders.

Arian Nemati, Public Affairs and Campaigns Adviser
Email: [email protected]