Let’s talk about knife crime
Knife crime is any crime involving a knife or sharp object. This includes: carrying a knife, owning a banned knife, trying to buy a knife if you are under 18, and/or threatening, injuring or fatally wounding someone with a knife.
An offensive weapon is defined as any item that has been made or adapted for the intention to cause hurt or harm to another person, under the Offences Weapon Act 2019. It is also important to note that pepper spray is illegal to possess in the UK, and is classed as a firearm under Section 5 (1)b of the Firearms Act 1968.
Self-defence or self-protection are not valid reasons for carrying a knife or offensive weapon, and this choice could have serious consequences for that person, including serious or fatal injury to themselves or others, and a criminal record.
The Life Or Knife website is aimed at all young people, parents and teachers.
It provides information on where to report or talk to someone about knives and where you can anonymously dispose of them.
It also includes lots of information on the devastating impact knives can have on you and others, guidance on how to talk to your child about knives, and resources that can be used in schools.
The #lifeorknife campaign, which has been informed by the region’s schoolchildren, teachers, police officers, doctors, paramedics and members of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission, encourages children to talk about knife crime with parents, teachers and peers.
Signs you might want to talk to your child about knife crime
If they have become withdrawn from the family and school, changed their behaviour, achievement or school attendance.
If they might have lost interest in hobbies and old friends and now hang around with a new group, staying out late and being vague about where they go.
If they have become secretive and defensive, particularly about what’s in their bag and might even told you that they need to carry a knife.
If you’ve noticed knives are missing from the house or may even have found one in your child’s bag or coat.
These things seem easily explained as part of the difficult teenage years, but it’s still important to talk to them about knife crime.
How to have the chat
Pick a place and a time where you can comfortably chat together. Your child might be reluctant to talk to you, so it might help to start by watching a relevant video or news article.
Ask them if they understand what knife crime is about. Be patient, get them talking, reassure them that they can be honest with you about their fears and worries. You are there to listen and support them.
What you might want to say
You might want to share your own fears about their safety and their future. Tell them that even when they feel they don’t have choices, they do.
You might have a story from your own childhood you can share about a time you felt pressured into acting a certain way or a recent news story you could reference.
Explain that the bravest thing to do is walk away from a fight, particularly one where someone has a knife. That while walking away is never easy, it’s easier than getting seriously hurt or being responsible for killing or injuring someone else.
You might want to discuss excuses your child could use to help them walk away, such as ‘I have to go and pick my little brother up,’ – or decide on a ‘code’ where the child can message you asking you to call them so that they can use your call as an excuse to walk away.
Reassure them by saying many young people don’t carry knives.