Why does knife crime happen

She warns that young people from poor backgrounds are now becoming categorised as troublemakers through the mere act of making a music video. Social media may play some role in normalising the carrying of weapons, as documented by research carried out by James Treadwell, professor in criminology at Staffordshire University. But academics stress that the role of social media has been overstated, or at very least oversimplified by the media and policy makers.

Can apply to any person aged 12 or over who carries a knife, has been convicted of a knife-related offence, or is suspected by police of carrying one. It came under scrutiny by human rights group Amnesty International last year. Read more: Police are using big data to profile young people, putting them at risk of discrimination. Here are some solutions for the UK government that academics have proposed :.

Divert children and young people away from toxic environments and into positive, nurturing ones that meet their basic needs. How former offenders can make great mentors for at-risk teens. An expert and father comments. Edition: Available editions United Kingdom. After falling for several years, the amount of knife crime in England and Wales is rising again.

Out of the 44 police forces across the areas, 42 recorded a rise in knife crime since Figures released in February showed the number of deaths as a result of knife crime in England and Wales last year was - the highest since records began in The government has said that it is working to deal with the problem, but a lot of people are angry and say that the problem is not being dealt with effectively.

Although the figures suggest that knife crime is on the increase, it is still relatively unusual for a violent incident to involve a knife - and rarer still for someone to need hospital treatment. Overall levels of violence for example, including physical fights have in fact fallen by about a quarter since There is no one reason to explain this increase. Many people believe that those who carry knives are simply criminals and that what is needed to stop this behaviour is more police officers on the streets.

In recent years, there has been a decrease in the number of police officers as there has not been as much money available from the government to pay for them. The UK's top police officer Cressida Dick has said that she believes there is "some link" between falling police numbers and a rise in violent crime.

The boss of Thames Valley Police, Chief Constable Francis Habgood, agrees with this, saying it was "common sense" that a reduction in the number of police officers was linked to knife crime. But earlier this week Prime Minister Theresa May said there is "no direct correlation" between falling officer numbers and a rise in violent crime.

Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn said that Mrs May "must start listening" to police chiefs over the impact of cutting 21, officers, saying: "You cannot keep people safe on the cheap. Some experts argue that often it is a fear of gangs and crime that leads to young people carrying knives, because they believe it will help to keep them safe. The trouble is that those weapons may then be used, which could make the number of violent incidents go up.

Although it is important to recognise not all adolescents with these risk factors will commit crimes or engage in gangs or violent behaviour, the identified risk factors can act as warning signs that captures young people before they become victims of violence. This provides essential evidence on which individuals are at high-risk, directing public health interventions to target those most vulnerable to effectively reduce youth violence.

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Barlas J. Weapons carrying in British teenagers: The role of personality, delinquency, sensational interests, and mating effort. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology. Alleyne E, Wood JL. Gang involvement: psychological and behavioral characteristics of gang members, peripheral youth, and nongang youth. Aggressive behavior.

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J Clin Epidemiol. Download references. You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. SH conducted initial research during planning stages of the review and developed the research question and inclusion criteria. SH was the primary reviewer for paper inclusion and quality assessment of papers.

SH conducted the thematic analysis and narrative synthesis, interpreted results, and was the primary writer for the systematic review. TB provided help during planning of review and designing systematic review, including identifying search terms and using WHO ecological model for analysis. TB was involved in interpretation of data and helped categorise study findings into categories of the ecological model.

Also contributed to multiple drafts of systematic review. EA provided WOE method for paper analysis offered second opinion when uncertain. EA also contributed to multiple drafts of the review, providing extensive feedback.

AK was the second independent reviewer of papers for review inclusion, playing a key role in acquisition of studies.

RP: oversaw design of the review, outlying search strategy and was involved in analysis through suggestion of thematic analysis; offered interpretations of studies and how findings should be categorised according to ecological model and contributed to drafting and editing of review throughout process. All authors have read, edited, and approved the submitted version of the systematic review. Correspondence to Sara Haylock. Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The maximum sentence for carrying a knife illegally is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. If you injure someone or use a knife to commit a crime, the penalties could increase. You could be prosecuted for carrying an article that could injure someone. If convicted, you could be imprisoned and fined. Police officers have the right to stop and search any person or vehicle if they suspect an offence.

This includes illegally carrying a knife or offensive weapon. If you have a knife and want to get rid of it, talk to an adult who you trust. During an amnesty, you can hand in your unwanted knife without having to answer questions from the police.

If you have information about knife crime in your area and you're nervous about going to the police, you can call Crimestoppers on They will never ask for your name or try to trace the number that you're calling from. We will not reply to your feedback.

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