CYP Now - Prioritise youth services to tackle knife crime, government told

Government cuts to “life-saving” youth services, social care and education budgets is a “fundamental cause” of violent crime among young people, a report by the youth select committee says.

The youth select committee launches its report. Picture: Youth select committee

The committee, made up of 11 young people aged 11- to 18-years-old, accuses the government of “not listening to young people" affected by violent crime in its Our Generation’s Epidemic: Knife Crime report.

It says a heavy focus on long prison sentences and stop and search will not prevent young people becoming involved in knife crime.

Children are scared into carrying knives due to threats from gangs, the report says, adding that young people “live in a society in which they fear they must take a life or have your life be taken”.

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