Knife Crime

Another report about knife crime? Why not? Last summer seemed to consist of back-to-back coverage of a series of stabbings, the majority of which involved young men and were concentrated in the deprived areas of larger cities like London. And, of course, these tragedies continue to occur. The Home Affairs Committee's Knife Crime report is a measured inquiry that looks at a number of issues including: why people carry knives, the current legal framework, public perceptions of levels of knife crime and possible solutions to the problem.

How serious a problem is knife crime among young people? The committee looks at the various discrepancies in the available data, and ends up by saying: "Although there is no definitive evidence of the extent of knife-carrying nationally, in parts of England and Wales it is at a level to be of significant concern." One section of the report looks at the relationship between victim and offender, with witnesses referring to recent changes in the nature of knife crime, especially the growth in teenage or young adult violence where stabbings are less to do with the "traditional" factors of too much alcohol or a mugging gone wrong, and more to do with group or gang identity and territory.