The fact that knife crime has unquestionably increased over the past few years is concerning. Knowing the reasons of knife crime is crucial since there is a growing number of violent attacks occurring in the UK and there is a critical need to take more forceful response.
Nowhere is that more evident than in our public school system, where our students’ safety is constantly threatened by an ominous climate of fear and uncertainty. That’s something we understand beyond all else as one of the top security service providers in the UK, and we’re actively trying to alter.
To enable more extensive changes to the situation of knife crime in the UK, we must first recognize where we are currently and what needs to change. We’ll dissect all the salient data from the most recent House of Commons report, discuss how the numbers have changed recently, and outline the next measures in combating the knife crime epidemic.
Overview Of Knife Crime In The UK
To ensure an impartial and equitable summary of all essential data about knife crime in the UK, we will draw from official ONS sources in addition to relevant third-party sources to furnish you with the necessary information.
Knife crime is one of the most common crimes in the nation and has been steadily rising in recent years. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has documented 49,072 offenses with knives or other sharp objects over the course of 2022.
That represents a rise of precisely 9.82%, or nearly 10%, over the numbers observed in 2021 and highlights some concerning patterns. The most alarming of them is that, with numbers for 2019 clocking in at about 51,900 offenses, we’re beginning to witness a reversion to the rapacious levels of knife crime we witnessed prior to the pandemic.
The amount that knife crime has surged over the past ten years is equally concerning. A number of variables (such as the worldwide economic downturn, unstable political environments, difficulties with law enforcement, and rising rates of poverty) have contributed to a 46% rise in comparison to 2012 data.
When we break out knife crime by region in the UK, we find that, as of 2022, 152 knife crime incidents were reported per 100,000 persons in the West Midlands. In comparison, over the same time period, Dyfed-Powys in Wales had just 32 incidents per 100,000 population.
Regarding homicide, the numbers for 2022 likewise show a troubling tendency. Approximately 40% of all killings in 2022 were caused by knives or other sharp items, such as broken bottles, out of the 594 murders that occurred during the year.
Having these weapons also portrays a bleak picture. 19,555 people were cautioned and found guilty of possessing knives or other offensive weapons during the course of the year. This serves to highlight the widespread use of knives in society, even while it does not in any way imply a desire to use the weapon violently.
18% of those cases involved young individuals, namely those between the ages of 10 and 17. This is concerning because it raises questions about school safety and the prevalence of teenage violence in general.
Key Statistics On Knife Crime In UK Schools
Over the past ten years, there has been an unstoppable increase in knife crime, with a large portion of it occurring between youth in schools and other educational facilities. The Ben Kinsella Trust reports that there have been 99 homicides among people under 25, 13 of whom were minors.
Upon closer inspection, the ONS states that there were 51 homicides in which the victim was between the ages of 13 and 19, raising serious concerns about the security and safety of our schools. The amount of rise in comparison to prior year’s data is perhaps even more worrisome.
With 16 more killings than in 2021 and 6 more than at the greatest pre-pandemic levels, the rate of homicides with a sharp instrument among 13 to 19-year-olds is at an all-time high.
The number of homicides increased dramatically from 10 in 2021 to 24 in 2022, with young boys between the ages of 16 and 17 experiencing the biggest increase. As a matter of fact, there has been an increase in data over the past year for all school ages, with figures approaching or surpassing those observed before 2020.
Using these figures as a starting point, we discover that 18% of the 19,555 convictions for possessing a knife or other dangerous weapon involved minors between the ages of 10 and 17, or roughly 3520 convictions.
The CSEW cautiously estimates that about 6.5% of surveyed 10 to 15-year-olds know someone who carries a knife. However, their findings are not yet fully published and do not correspond with the crime figures we reviewed.
The 16–29 age range showed similar trends, with 5.7% of respondents knowing of someone who carried an aggressive weapon or knife. Less than 1% of respondents acknowledged carrying their own knife, which may come as no surprise.
These kinds of figures make us take a closer look at both the conditions in our schools and the factors that could encourage a young person to carry an aggressive weapon.
The Ben Kinsella Trust makes links between the rapid rise in knife violence among youth and the COVID-19 pandemic. Their findings show that the pandemic has increased young people’s vulnerability, raising their risk of exploitation by gangs and feelings of insecurity in public areas.
Chief Executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust Patrick Green suggested earlier this year in an interview with The Independent that a major contributing factor to the rise in knife crime is the uncertainty and instability the pandemic brought about.
Growing gang violence, especially in inner cities, and the pandemic’s mental health effects have significantly impacted knife and violent crimes in the UK.
However, how will violent crime among youth develop in the future? We need to examine the data and take measures to mitigate the increasing frequency of crimes.
What Security Measures Can Schools Put In Place?
School Security Personnel Offer Ultimate Protection
School security officers, the mainstay of the security sector, patrol your school’s grounds or monitor access points and open spaces.
We will collaborate with you and your location to guarantee that you have complete coverage when you choose a customized school security solution from Titanium Security Services. There is a customized option accessible for you, regardless of whether you require patrols through parking lots or receptionist tasks when your pupils arrive or go.
Our highly skilled, fully licensed SIA guards train in crowd control, dispute resolution, and safely defusing potentially explosive situations.
Your school security guards’ specialized skill set enables them to handle any scenario with professionalism, composure, and most importantly, calmness. This helps to preserve peace and quiet even in trying circumstances.
Additionally, you will be able to fully customize the uniforms of your security guards to make sure that they not only assist in protecting your property but also look the part.
CCTV Solutions To Protect Your School
CCTV is another mainstay of the security sector, serving as an ideal addition to your school’s on-site security personnel while also serving as a visual deterrent to potential thieves. Nothing more so than the security cameras we have to offer: Churchill has always been at the forefront of technology.
We can guarantee the safety and security of your school throughout the duration of the academic year and the calendar year by providing fully monitored CCTV solutions, which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. A full suite of equipment and our highly qualified security personnel completely cover you.
At all hours of the day or night, your security staff can receive assistance from our round-the-clock manned communications center. CCTV for schools is an obvious choice for the safety and security of your pupils, especially with an installation procedure designed to cause as little interruption as possible and fit in around term hours.