What Works in Reducing Youth Knife Crime: Evidence from the YJB
The Youth Justice Board's 2025 Evidence and Insights Pack provides guidance on effective approaches to reduce knife crime among young people.
The Youth Justice Board's 2025 Evidence and Insights Pack offers a comprehensive examination of effective strategies to reduce knife crime among young people. Key statistics reveal that children account for 17% of knife crime offences, with significant disparities affecting Black and mixed ethnicity children. The evidence highlights that pre-court diversion and reducing knife supply are effective strategies, while mandatory minimum sentences and high-profile awareness programs may be counterproductive.
Youth Justice Board's 2025 Evidence and Insights Pack
Key Statistics
- Children account for approximately 17% of knife crime offences.
- Black children constitute 14% of knife crime offences despite comprising just 6% of the general population.
- Mixed ethnicity children represent 10% of offences but only 8% of the population.
- Over 99% of children convicted of knife offences are for possession alone.
Why Young People Carry Knives
- Exploitation by criminal networks
- Fear and previous victimisation
- Seeking social status among peers
- Effects of poverty and deprivation
What Works
- Pre-court diversion: More effective than formal prosecution.
- Reducing knife supply: Heavy regulation of online sales and banning zombie knives.
- Place-based strategies: Support families and communities to mitigate violence.
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