One fifth of knife crimes in England and Wales committed by children
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, January 16, 2020
More than a fifth of offences involving a knife or offensive weapon recorded last year were committed by children, new figures reveal, as convictions in England and Wales hit a 10-year high.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) statistics show 4,562 of 22,286 offences leading to cautions or convictions involved children aged 10 to 17.
Knife crime and offensive weapons offences involving juveniles in England and Wales has reached the highest point since 2009 when 5,554 crimes were recorded. Offences across all ages have also reached a 10-year high, the MoJ says, with 26,634 recorded in the same year.
The figures show 1,475 10- to 17-year-olds were issued with a youth caution while 539 were taken into custody, 47 received an absolute or conditional discharge. The rest were issued with a fine, community sentence or “other disposal”, figures show.
Youth sector leaders said children were “living in fear” of knife crime, leading them to carry weapons and called on the government to invest in support for vulnerable young people.
Sam Royston, director of policy and research at The Children’s Society, said: “Many young people tell us they carry knives not as a lifestyle choice but for protection and because they are living in fear.
“We see children being groomed and exploited by organised crime groups to traffic drugs in county lines operations and they may carry knives because they are coerced to threaten rival criminal groups.
“Too often, however, they receive only a criminal justice response rather than support to understand and address the underlying reasons for their behaviour. They do not get the help they need and the increase in cautions and convictions for repeat possession of knives among young people is of real concern.
“It’s absolutely vital that this is addressed by the planned new government cabinet committee aimed at combating knife crime and serious violence, alongside a serious commitment to apprehending the criminals who are cynically exploiting vulnerable children.”
Barnardo’s chief executive, Javed Khan, added: “Knife crime devastates families and communities, especially as victims and offenders are often children. We need to tackle the root causes and understand why those involved carry knives
“Increasing the number and length of sentences can only be part of the solution, as this may not deter young people who are suffering a poverty of hope. Often they have no qualifications, no job prospects, and no role models, making them vulnerable to criminal gangs who force them to deliver drugs and carry knives to protect themselves. We need to reach them before they reach for a knife.”
“The new government urgently needs to work with charities, education, health, youth workers, the criminal justice system and local communities to find long-term solutions, so vulnerable children have a reason to turn away from crime,” he added.
