For nearly a decade, knife crimes have been a persistent and disturbing issue in the United Kingdom, with little progress made in finding an effective solution. While the overall number of knife attacks and victims has somewhat stabilized, both remain at concerning levels, creating a sense of unease across the nation.
According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), police forces in England and Wales recorded 50,000 knife attacks between March 2023 and March 2024. This marks a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2010-2011, and a 4.4% rise when compared to the previous year (March 2022-March 2023).
knives were used in 41% of the 594 homicides recorded in England and Wales between March 2022 and March 2023, with approximately four people dying each week from knife wounds.
The most shocking aspect of this crisis has been the age of the victims and perpetrators, particularly when it involves teenagers. Between 2023 and 2024, 53 young people aged 13 to 19 lost their lives due to knife attacks, making up 83% of youth homicides in England and Wales.
One of the most tragic cases this year was that of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose, who was killed in February at his school, All Saints.
These statistics highlight the gravity of the knife crime epidemic, especially among young people, and underscore the need for urgent action to address this growing crisis.
Knife crimes in the UK have reached alarming levels, with 50,000 attacks recorded between 2023 and 2024, showing a sharp rise from previous years. The tragedy of young victims, particularly teenagers, adds to the urgency of tackling this ongoing issue.
