How to prevent knife crime (proven methods)
The media often focuses on the scary rise in knife crime in England. In 2024, England had 50,000 knife crimes (and increase of 80% in 10 years).
Yet nobody in the media (or in politics) seems to focus on the fact that over the border in Scotland, knife crime rates have dropped to almost zero.
A few years ago, Scotland’s streets were very dangerous (in the cities), but their communities and police forces found answers, and now we can learn from them. In 2017 England and Wales had a combined 35 knife stabbings, whereas Scotland had none. So how did they do this?
By doing the same as Norway. Instead of ‘locking people up’, Scotland’s police forces have developed good relationships with residents and communities. With regular education and knife amnesties.
Some people are not aware that to carry any pointed or bladed article in a public place without good reason (say if you work as a chef) is against the law. And under ‘joint enterprise laws’, you can be prosecuted along with the stabber, if you are in the same group when the crime occurs.
Carrying a knife also makes you more likely to become a crime victim, it does not make you safer (a stab anywhere on the body, not just the chest) can be fatal, if the blade hits an artery.
Billy’s Wish is a charity founded in the name of an innocent victim of knife crime. It offers free resources for all schools.
Let’s Be Blunt is a campaign for people to buy rounded knives, founded by the heroic yoga teacher who tried to protect children in the Southport attacks, and was injured herself.
Give (anonymous) information on knife crime
Fearless is a site to give information (anonymously) about a crime or fight that has taken place, or is planned. The site has a quick close tab and there is no browsing history, personal details or IP address taken.
You can also give information anonymously at Crimestoppers (in some cases there are rewards, collected anonymously using a bank code).
Steel Warriors is a London charity that melts down knives taken off the streets, then uses the steel to make ‘street outdoor gyms’ for young people.
