Knife Crime in the UK: Evaluating Legal Responses and Community-Based Solutions

Authored By: Basmala El-Kadry

London School of Economics

Abstract:

The effectiveness of present legislation and law enforcement tactics is examined in this article considering the rising knife crime rate in the UK. It draws attention to the shortcomings of laws such as the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 and the challenges of finding a balance between implementation and community engagement. A more comprehensive approach incorporating social assistance, mental health services, and education is required to address the root causes of knife crime. The article’s conclusion states that although legal reforms are crucial, a multi-agency, community-focused strategy is needed for long-term prevention.

Introduction:

Knife crime in the UK continues to be a pressing concern in the UK, with recent data showing the number of police recorded knife or shape instrument offences in London in London alone rising to approximately 15,015 in 2023/2024, compared with 12,786 in the previous year. This increase is consistent with knife crime in the UK generally, where such offences have increased by 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).^[1] This troubling trend has reignited national debate, raising critical questions about where the law is falling short and how it can be reformed to provide effective solutions.

What is knife crime?

The term ‘knife crime’ has become a pervasive expression used in the media and public discourse encompassing a broad range of offences which has led to challenges in definition and accurately assessing its prevalence. However, based on how the relevant laws in England and Wales are worded, it is concludable that the term related to crimes involving knives and or pointed articles.

According to the law, there are two primary categories of knife crime in the UK. The first is the illegal possession of a knife or other sharp object, as defined by Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1988.² This legislation makes it illegal to carry knives in public unless there is a lawful reason. “Knife-involved offences,” which fall under the second category, are crimes in which a knife or other sharp instruments are used to carry out other unlawful actions, such as robbery, assault, or homicide. The Offensive Weapons Act of 2019 broadens this framework by criminalising the possession of specific offensive weapons and imposing harsher penalties on those found in possession of knives or other dangerous items in designated areas, such as schools.^[2]

The rigorous approach taken to dealing with knife-related offences is further highlighted by the case of R v. STC Ltd [2021].^[3] The court ruled that offences could be committed if marketing materials implied, even indirectly, that a knife was suitable for harming others. By substantially restricting the ability of sellers to promote such weapons, this decision demonstrates how the law tries to curb knife crime.

Far from being confines to assault and robbery related offences, knife crime has emerged as a leading cause of homicide in England and Wales. According to the ONS, 41% of recorded homicides in the year ending June 2023 involved a knife or sharp instrument as the method of killing. The ONS reports that the number of knifeenabled crimes in England and Wales was lower than pre-pandemic levels, however this figure was still 3% higher than the year ending June 2022.^[4]

The Role of Law Enforcement

Removing weapons from the streets and prosecuting offenders have been the main goals of knife crime law enforcement. Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994 gives law enforcement agencies, including the police, the right to stop and search people.^[5] This law allows officers to stop people in specific situations without previous suspicion. These authorities have been crucial in halting knife-related violence, frequently used when there is heightened concern about knife crime. Concerns regarding potential misuse of these powers have also been raised, especially in minority communities. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has criticised the disproportionate targeting of Black and ethnic minority individuals and argued for a more balanced approach.^[6]

The recently elected Labour government has made combating knife crime a top priority and has proposed closing legal loopholes that permit the lawful sale of some dangerous weapons. Reducing the accessibility of knives and other dangerous items that fuel violence is the goal of legislative reforms.^[7] Such actions might restrict access to dangerous weapons; however, they address just one aspect of the problem. As Dr Overton highlights, “laws can help reduce the availability of dangerous weapons, but they cannot address the reasons why people carry them in the first place.”^[8]

To combat knife crime, law enforcement organisations are using a combination of enforcement and community engagement strategies. Operation Hardy in Bristol, for example, is an example of a proactive strategy that involves educators, social workers, and medical professionals working together across multiple agencies with aims to address both immediate risks (such as removing weapons from the streets) and longer-term factors (like providing support and guidance to at-risk youth).

The legal backbone supporting such initiatives includes the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, where are currently under discussion, with proposals aimed at extending prohibitions to include more dangerous weapons and introducing harsher penalties for those found in possession of knives near schools or youth centres. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) plays a pivotal role here by prosecuting offences related to knife crime and working closely with police to ensure robust evidence collection. According to the CPS Legal Guidance on Offensive Weapons, prosecutors are encouraged to apply the law strictly while considering aggravating factors, such as carrying knives in public or near schools.^[9]

However, balancing enforcement with engagement remains a challenge. PC Christina Jones, involved in Operation Hardy, highlights the difficult realities on the ground, noting that children as young as ten are sometimes found carrying knives.^[10] While police interventions address immediate risks, a holistic solution requires legislative and social reform. The Crime and Disorder Act of 1998’s guiding principles, which promote multi-agency collaborations to tackle problems like juvenile criminality, are in line with this initiative. In this framework, police and local authorities are supposed to work together to find long-term solutions with an emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation.

A Holistic Approach: Education, Community, and Prevention

The legal response must be part of a wider strategy addressing the root causes of knife crime. Socioeconomic deprivation, lack of opportunities, and exposure to violence are significant drivers, as evidenced by studies cited in the CPS Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy^[11].

Interventions that are trauma-informed and mental health services are also essential. Operation Hardy works with medical professionals in Bristol to address underlying problems like anxiety and PTSD that may encourage young people to carry weapons. “Removing a knife is a temporary solution,” says PC Christina Jones, and the fear and insecurity that initially caused young people to carry them must also be removed.^[12] The practical realities on the ground highlight that knife crime often involves young individuals who are themselves vulnerable and in need of social support, not just criminal punishment.

Potential Solutions and Recommendations

Stronger educational programs about the risks of knife crime should be implemented in schools and community centres. These initiatives could be implemented in conjunction with law enforcement, emphasising alternatives to violence for young people in addition to legal deterrence.

Integrating mental health support into the legal and policing frameworks should be given more importance because many knife crime cases involve psychological factors. Programs for mental health outreach targeted at at-risk youth and trauma-informed care may fall under this category.

Incorporating social services, educators, and local leaders into a more community-centred strategy could support enforcement initiatives. Youth engagement initiatives and mentorship programs rooted in the community may be able to discourage young people from engaging in criminal activity.

Conclusion:

In the UK, knife crime is still on the rise, with more crimes and young people becoming involved. The fundamental causes of knife crime are not addressed by laws like the Offensive Weapons Act of 2019 or the Criminal Justice Act of 1988, despite the fact that they have contributed to the regulation of dangerous weapons. The usefulness of legal tactics was investigated in this article, which also emphasised the significance of multi-agency programs like Operation Hardy that integrate community involvement and enforcement.

Investments in education, mental health services, and mentorship programs for at-risk youth should be made in order to support the legal framework for a more successful response. To guarantee a comprehensive approach, legal reforms should also increase the scope of prohibited weapons and close loopholes.

Reference(s):

[1] Crime in England and Wales: year ending June 2024 (Office for National Statistics, 2024) <

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/latest#homici de > accessed 8 December 2024 ² Criminal Justice Act 1988, s 139

[2] Offensive Weapons Act 2019

[3] R v STC Ltd [2021] EWCA Crim 1237

[4] Office for National Statistics (n 1)

[5] Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s 60

[6] Equality and Human Rights Commission, ‘Stop and think; A critical review of the use of stop and search powers in England and Wales’ (2010)

[7] Home Office, Government to launch new coalition to tackle knife crime (2024) < https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government –to –launch –new –coalition –to –tackle –knife –