Knife Crime
WHAT IS KNIFE CRIME?
This is a crime that involves the following:
- Carrying a knife, a blade or something sharply pointed in your hand, bag, pocket, on your body, boot of your car or in your car.
- Threatening someone with a knife
- Trying to purchase a knife if you are under the age of 18 years.
- The use of a knife to harm, damage, maim, injure, or kill someone.
- Owning a banned knife
- Committing a crime such as burglary or street crime where a knife was brandished or used.
WHEN IS IT LAWFUL TO CARRY A KNIFE?
If carrying a knife is part of your job (a tool) then it is lawful.
- Building work
- Exhibiting a knife at a museum
- Knife used in a TV commercial or film.
It is not illegal to carry a Swiss army knife. (a folding blade 3 inches long – 7.62cm or less)
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR A CHILD CARRYING A KNIFE?
Punishments for any knife crime are severe.
They range from four years plus an unlimited fine for carrying a knife in a school or public place to many years for other knife crimes.
They will also get a criminal record which can stop them entering certain countries such as the USA and Australia and prevent them going to university or getting a job.
If your child is with a friend who uses a knife on an individual your child could be prosecuted, jailed or fined as a ‘joint enterprise’.
CAN YOU SELL A KNIFE TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE?
No you cannot. It is unlawful.
WHY WOULD A CHILD CARRY A KNIFE?
- Because they are afraid of other individuals who carry knives.
- To commit a crime
- To intimidate others.
- To protect themselves
- Peer pressure
- They are being exploited criminally and been given a knife to carry.
- Social media influence.
- They are unaware it is illegal to carry a knife.
- To act cool and hard.
CAN POLICE STOP AND SEARCH YOUR CHILD FOR A KNIFE?
Yes they can if they suspect your child is carrying a knife in their hand, pocket, on their body, in their car or in their bag.
HOW CAN A PARENT PREVENT THEIR CHILD CARRYING A KNIFE?
Communicate with them – Have an open and honest discussion with your child from a young age about knives and knife crime. Explain the harm they can do and how strict the law is and if they are caught with a knife they will not get off lightly.
Try your best not to overreact – If you do find a knife in your child’s possessions please try not to react, Stay calm and peaceful. Confiscate it. Then ask your child for a talk and tell them you found it. Together try and find a positive solution where they don’t need to carry a knife to feel safe.
Tell them you understand – Your child may say you don’t understand how they feel and the threats they face. They may say that carrying a knife is vital for their defence and safety. You must listen to them first and then tell them you understand how they feel but carrying a knife is not the way to protect themselves. They can contact the police if they are under threat.
Discourage your child from carrying a knife and once you do then support them – If your child is worried about knife crime or wants to carry a knife to protect themselves, after discouraging them to carry a knife or taking it away, be vigilant about how they feel and support them.
- If they are scared about an incident, inform the school, the police or your local authority child services.
- Spend time with them and ask if they would like you to walk with them when they go out.
- Give them a phone with credit so they can call you when they feel scared.
- They can also call 999 if they feel threatened.
- Make sure the route they choose to come home is safe.
- Go over scenarios where your child knows what to say if they get themselves into trouble or they come across someone who wants to harm them.
- Encourage them to walk away from a perpetrator.
Read a website specifically dealing with knife crime together – The Ben Kinsella Trust is an excellent website that both you and your child can read together and discuss knife issues. Please sit with your child and go through the site together.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR BEN KINSELLA TRUST.
LINK TO GUIDE TO KNIFE HARM FOR PARENTS AND CARERS – BEN KINSELLA TRUST.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR BEN KINSELLA TRUST – LEARNING ZONE
Try to be observant and know what your child is up to – There are many things we as parents can do to ensure our child is protected from carrying a knife or is the victim of knife crime.
- Know your child’s circle of friends and who they hang out with.
- Inform your child that their friends are welcome to hang out at your place if you are able to.
- Be aware of where your child goes after school and at weekends
- May sure they are not hiding a knife in their possessions.
- Be aware of what your child views on social media.
- Be aware of what your child is ordering online.
- Check if there are any knives missing from the kitchen or garage on a regular basis.
Try and build a positive trusting relationship with your child – Your child should be able to come to you and talk to you, and share their fears when they feel scared or threatened. They will do this if you are approachable, you do not react and do not take what they say personally. When your child comes and talks to you it is about them, how they feel and what is happening to them. It is not about your parenting. It isn’t an opportunity to blame yourself. Your child will approach you if you:
- Listen intently without interruption.
- Do not judge them
- Do not take what they say personally
- Understand their reasons
- Do not react in a negative manner
- Try and find a positive outcome for your child.
- Support them through the whole episode.
HOW CAN YOU DISPOSE OF A KNIFE SAFELY
- Hand it in at the police station
- Ask the police to collect it from you
- Go on your local authority website and see if they have any places where a knife can be disposed of safely such as a local amnesty bin.
- If you are going to put it in your bin then please wrap it up so no one gets hurt.
SHOULD YOU REPORT YOUR CHILD TO THE POLICE IF YOU FIND THEY HAVE A KNIFE IN THEIR POSSESSION?
Yes you should. Prevention is always the key. If you have tried your best to stop your child carrying a knife but your child isn’t listening to you then right now before anyone is hurt your best option is to inform the police.
If you still have your doubts call the NSPCC (details below) and talk to them.
You can contact the Police – You can dial 999 if a child is at risk or a crime has been committed. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact the following to talk and get support:
You can contact the NSPCC – You can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns that your child is carrying a knife or has been a victim of knife crime. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child is carrying a knife or has been the victim of knife crime.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SAMARITANS – The samaritans are a free organisation that you can talk to about knife crime. Call their helpline on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day. You can email them, chat online or write them a letter.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SAMARITANS – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about knife crime. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact VICTIM SUPPORT – Victim support is a charity that can help individuals who have been the victim of a crime. They have a free confidential support telephone line and live chat. They are independent of the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR VICTIM SUPPORT – CONTACT US
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has suffered from knife crime or they are carrying a knife and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.