Knife Crime is Down – Is Prevention As Important As Prosecution?

What Latest Figures Reveal Following Preventative Measures and Stiffer Penalties to Tackle Knife Crime.

New Government figures suggest targeted action is beginning to reduce knife crime, including in Greater Manchester. The latest approach combines policing and enforcement with early intervention, improved public spaces and support for people considered most at risk of becoming involved in knife crime. Here we look at the impact on knife crime figures. 

Knife-Enabled Robbery Falls Across Seven Police Forces

The Government has announced an expansion of its targeted knife crime programme to more than 230 areas across England and Wales.

According to Home Office figures, knife-enabled robbery has fallen by 23% across seven police forces involved in the targeted approach since June 2024. Those forces include Greater Manchester Police, the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, Avon and Somerset Police and British Transport Police.

That represents more than 3,600 fewer reported knife robberies. The Government also says overall knife crime has fallen by 11%.

Statistics should always be considered in context, but any sustained reduction in offences involving knives is significant. The consequences of a single incident can be devastating for victims, families and those accused of carrying or using a weapon.

More Police Is Only Part of the Approach

One particularly interesting aspect of the latest announcement is that the strategy is not based entirely upon arrests and prosecution.

Police and councils will develop plans for individual areas, with increased patrols and CCTV combined with preventative programmes for people considered at greater risk of becoming either victims or perpetrators of knife crime.

Changes to the physical environment are also planned, including improved lighting and redesigning locations where weapons can potentially be concealed.

The principle is relatively straightforward: identify where knife-related offending is concentrated and intervene before violence occurs, rather than relying solely upon the criminal justice system afterwards.

Why Do People Carry Knives?

One of the difficulties surrounding knife crime is that people carry weapons for very different reasons.

Some knives are carried with the intention of committing another offence. In other cases, particularly involving young people, an individual may say that they carried a weapon because they were frightened of somebody else or believed it would provide protection.

That distinction does not necessarily make carrying a prohibited weapon lawful. However, understanding why someone feels the need to carry a knife is important if the objective is to prevent future offending.

A cycle can develop in which fear of other people carrying weapons encourages somebody to carry one themselves. Intervention, education and trusted community support may therefore be capable of preventing an offence before the police, courts and potentially prison become involved.

The Criminal Consequences of Carrying a Knife Remain Serious

Falling crime figures should not obscure the seriousness with which knife offences are treated by the courts.

It is an offence, subject to limited statutory exceptions and potential defences, to possess certain bladed or sharply pointed articles in a public place without lawful authority or good reason. More serious offences can arise where a weapon is used to threaten somebody or where it is connected with robbery, assault or other violence.

The circumstances surrounding possession can be crucial. The type of item, where it was found, why it was being carried and what the prosecution alleges the individual intended to do with it can all become relevant to a criminal investigation.

Preventing the First Offence Matters

Much of the public debate surrounding knife crime understandably concentrates on punishment after somebody has been injured or a weapon has been discovered.

The latest figures raise another important question: how many offences can be prevented from occurring at all?

Once a young person enters the criminal justice system for a knife offence, the consequences can extend far beyond the immediate court proceedings. A conviction and, in serious cases, imprisonment can affect education, employment and future opportunities.

Enforcement remains an important part of tackling knife crime, particularly where weapons are being used to commit violence. But the reduction reported across forces including Greater Manchester Police suggests there is also value in identifying risk earlier and combining policing with prevention.

The most successful response to knife crime may ultimately be one that not only deals effectively with serious offending, but reduces the number of people who ever decide to pick up and carry a weapon in the first place.

Legal Advice for Knife Crime Allegations

Morton’s Solicitors provides criminal defence advice and representation to people facing allegations involving knives and offensive weapons, from the police station through to court proceedings.

Anyone arrested or invited to attend a voluntary police interview in connection with a knife-related allegation should obtain legal advice at the earliest opportunity. The circumstances surrounding possession and the evidence relating to how and why an item was being carried can be extremely important.

How We Can Help.

If you have any questions relating to any knife crime and would like advice or legal representation – then don’t hesitate to call us now on 0161 477 1121 or email us.