Knife crime and serious violence
Serious violence includes the use of knives and guns and is associated with gang and criminal activity.
Someone might be encouraged to carry a knife, or feel they want to carry one to fit in with the people they are associating with. They could also be pressured into looking after a knife or a gun for a gang member.
Knife crime isn’t just about stabbing someone or threatening them with a knife – just carrying a knife is illegal and they can be arrested. It doesn’t have to be a knife – any item that has been made or changed with the aim of causing harm to someone is an offensive weapon.
What are the signs?
You might be worried that someone you know has started carrying a knife or is being forced to hide a weapon. Here are some things to look out for:
- Being secretive about where they are going or who they are seeing
- A change in attitude towards school/education
- Unexplained injuries and bruises
- Being secretive about what they have in their bag
- Spending time with new friends, who might be older than them
- A change in mood – they might be very anxious or become angry quite easily
Spotting these signs doesn’t always mean they are being forced to carry a weapon, for example it could be normal teenage behaviour, but if you are worried it is always best to speak to them. If they don’t want to open up to you, try and have a general conversation about knives and assure them they have a choice, even if they think they don’t. Make sure they know they can talk to you if they need to.
What could happen?
It is illegal to carry a knife in a public place and the police have the power to stop and search anyone they believe to be carrying a weapon - they could be given a prison sentence for carrying one. The maximum sentence for an adult carrying a knife or weapon illegally is four years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. If convicted of carrying a knife or weapon illegally more than once, there will be a prison sentence.
Carrying a knife doesn’t really offer protection – the person is more likely to get hurt or killed themselves as situations can quickly get out of hand. By carrying a knife, they are are handing someone the chance to use it against them..
If they don’t carry a knife but their associates do, they could still be charged if one of their associates uses a knife to attack someone. This is known as the law of joint enterprise and by being part of the group, they could be seen as having encouraged or supported their actions, or not acting to stop it happening.