Safeguarding and Vulnerability
Approaching knife crime through a safeguarding lens.
Overview
Many young people involved in knife crime are themselves victims—of exploitation, abuse, or neglect. This section approaches knife crime through a safeguarding lens, covering the identification of vulnerable young people, referral pathways to support services, and the intersection with issues such as county lines exploitation and gang involvement. A trauma-informed approach recognises that enforcement alone is insufficient without addressing underlying vulnerabilities.
Articles
On 11 February 2026, the Government announced that every child caught carrying a knife in England and Wales will receive a mandatory, tailored intervention plan backed by £320 million in Youth Justice Services funding.
Prevent
Resources
Government Guidance for Child Knife Possession Offences (England and Wales)
Official government guidance published in February 2026 setting out expectations for how police, Youth Justice Services and other agencies should respond when a child is found in possession of a knife. Covers the three-stage process: police alerting YJS, initial assessment and referrals, and appropriate outcomes including out-of-court resolutions and mandatory intervention plans.
Prevent