Knife crime in London schools

The Met Police recently released some data about knife crime in London’s schools. Here’s a small pick of the data:

• The number of pupils caught in possession of knives in schools has risen for the fifth consecutive year: 2016 = 299, 2015 = 236, 2014 = 203..........2011 = 152.
• There’s been a 26% increase in the number of knife crime related incidents in London schools since 2014: 2016 = 85, 2015 = 71, 2014 = 67
• Some of the rise in the above numbers could be as a result of improved reporting

The anti-knife crime charity The Ben Kinsella Trust tells us that:

• 15% of young people said a friend had carried a knife
• 93% of young people think that knife crime is a problem
• 60% of those caught with a knife are under 25

Reducing the number of pupils carrying knives (who are completely misinformed about the so-called protection they offer) is not going to be easy, but clearly a number of measures have been and will have to be introduced to make a difference.

• The Met Police’s ‘Trident’ anti-gang unit is already delivering knife crime presentations reaching 14,000 young people so far
• The Met have deployed 292 Safer Schools Officers into 550 London Schools.
• 6,000+ young people have visited the Ben Kinsella Trust exhibition and have pledged not to carry a knife  
• Later this month the Mayor’s Office will publish their Police and Crime Plan, which makes knife and gang crime a priority. In the report the Office is likely to call for an increase in the number of Safer Schools Officers to cover all secondary schools and colleges, require that those young people who are more likely to carry weapons are targeted and work with retailers to reduce the numbers of knives sold to underage people.
• The NUT has said that schools need more time and resources to educate pupils about the dangers of carrying knives.

I shall keep an eye on how things progress and report back on these pages.

The Ben Kinsella Trust  Their mission is to use the true and powerful story of Ben Kinsella to educate young people about the consequences of choices, so they stay safe and away from crime. The charity exists to educate young people; to provide advice, support and guidance with the aim of raising self esteem so that young people can resist peer pressure and make positive life choices.

Like all charities, The Ben Kinsella Trust relies on the donations of people’s time and money. If you think you can help in some small way I am sure they would like to hear from you.