KNIFE CRIME
Education. Awareness. Prevention.
50,430
Knife crime offences recorded in England and Wales in the year ending September 2025 — down 9% year-on-year. The scale remains significant. — ONS
50%
Close to half of all suspects and victims in knife crime incidents are aged under 25. Young people are disproportionately affected on both sides of the blade. — ONS
London
The Metropolitan Police area records the highest rate of knife crime in the UK — 182 offences per 100,000 people. But no city, town, or community is immune.
174
People killed by knives or sharp instruments in England and Wales in the year ending September 2025 — the lowest figure since current recording began, down 23% from the previous year. Every one of them was someone's person and they matter.
Knife Crime in the UK
Whether you are a parent searching for answers, a young person who wants the truth, someone who has lost a loved one to knife crime, or a professional working on the front line — this page is for you.
Knife crime devastates lives, families, and communities. Understanding it is the first step to preventing it. This page covers the scale of the problem, the warning signs, the law, what to do in a crisis, the myths that need challenging, and the support available when the worst happens.
The Cities Most Affected
Knife crime in the United Kingdom is not a new phenomenon, but it remains one of the most urgent and persistent public safety challenges the country faces. The figures are stark — and behind every statistic is a real person, a real family, and a community changed forever.
While knife crime occurs across the whole of the UK, it is disproportionately concentrated in urban areas. The highest rates are found in London, the West Midlands including Birmingham, Cleveland including Teesside, and Greater Manchester. High-risk zones within cities include nightlife districts late at night, transport hubs, and areas with active gang territorial activity.
It is important to note that knife crime also occurs in smaller towns and rural areas, often linked to county lines drug networks.
No community is entirely immune.
Knife Crime & The Law
Carrying a Knife — The Basics
It is illegal to carry a knife in a public place in England and Wales without good reason or lawful authority. This includes most folding knives with a blade longer than three inches, lock knives regardless of length, and any knife that can be locked in the open position.
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The law does not require that the knife was used or even intended to be used. Simply having it on your person in a public space is enough for an arrest and charge.
Stop & Search
Police in England and Wales have the power to stop and search anyone they reasonably suspect of carrying a weapon. Under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, police can also carry out suspicion-less searches in a designated area for a set period — this is often used following incidents of serious violence.
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You have the right to ask the officer their name, their station, and the reason for the search. You do not have the right to refuse the search. It is always advisable to remain calm and compliant.
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IMPORTANT - Joint Enterprise
One aspect of knife crime law that many people do not fully understand — until it is too late — is joint enterprise. This legal principle means you can be convicted of a serious offence even if you never personally carried or used a knife.
​What Is Joint Enterprise?
Joint enterprise (sometimes called common purpose) is a legal doctrine used when crimes are committed by more than one person.
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In certain circumstances, everyone involved in a group can be held legally responsible for the actions of another member — even if they did not carry out the act themselves. This can apply where a person intentionally assisted or encouraged the offence, or where the court decides the risk of serious violence was foreseen.
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→ More information can be found in our blog post. Arrested for Knife Crime in the UK.
→ Visit the Justice Hub for clear guidance on arrest and court processes. This section supports victims, young adults, youths, and anyone navigating the criminal justice system.
→ If a prison sentence may be a possibility, visit our Prison Support page for practical next steps.
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Charge
KNIFE CRIME
three WAYS.
Education. Awareness. Prevention
Designed to explain knife crime and its consequences clearly, grounded in real cases and UK law.
Excerpt from the Knife Crime Handbook.
​While domestic issues often get the spotlight, complex international factors significantly shape the spread, intensity, and persistence of knife violence.
Knife Crime Handbook
FURTHER READING
Knife Crime Statistics. England and Wales​​
House of Commons Library Research Briefing — updated October 2025​​
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​​Read the Briefing → ​
Knives, Offensive Weapons and Serious Violence
Hansard: Knife Crime — Children and Young People
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