Serious violence: crime prevention strategies in England
Violent crimes, such as knife crime, remain a concern in the UK, impacting communities and increasing significant concerns regarding public safety. In response to the outgoing issues and significant media attention, crime prevention measures regarding knife crime have significantly altered over the past decade. However, what is crime prevention? There is no single definition of crime prevention, nor is there a single method to prevent crime in society. Nevertheless, crime prevention can be defined as “any actions designed to reduce the actual level of crime and/or the perceived fear of crime” (Lab, 2006:682). The aforementioned definition implies that crime prevention involves all initiatives aimed at reducing crimes and may involve many agencies within the criminal justice system, as well as various institutions, communities and individuals. Tilley (2012) argues that effective crime prevention strategies are proactive rather than active. The concept of a proactive approach involves measures aimed at preventing criminal behaviour before its occurrence, based on the notion that crime is not inevitable and can be minimised by addressing the root cause and motivations; this includes developmental programmes, situational crime prevention strategies, surveillance, policing, and community engagement effort. On the contrary, reactive measures have significance for upholding public order and delivering justice; however, reactive strategies frequently fail to prevent future offences.
National strategies for preventing serious violence
Historically, in the UK, responses to crime prevention strategies have shifted between punitive measures and preventative initiatives; these preventions have frequently been influenced by political parties in power. In 2018, as a national strategy to prevent violent crime, the Conservative Party introduced the Serious Violence Strategy as a response to the increase in knife crime, homicides and gun crime. The strategy adopted a “public health approach” in order to reduce serious violence in youths, acknowledging that serious violent crimes are a social concern shaped by complex factors and adopting a combination of developmental and law enforcement approaches to crime prevention, emphasises early interventions and promoting multi-agency collaboration is necessary to diminish crime (Home Office, 2019). Developmental crime prevention refers to a proactive strategy for crime prevention that operates independently of the criminal justice system, serving as an alternative to punitive measures and as a crime control tactic (Welsh & Farrington, 2012). It refers to the idea that developmental strategies interventions are “…designed to prevent the development of criminal potential in individuals, especially those targeting risks and proactive factors…” (Torny & Farrington, 1995:2). These early interventions seek to reduce the risk factors, such as poverty, family instability, school, and negative peer influence, which increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour, and reinforce the protective factors. These evidence-based early interventions emphasise education, community involvement, and rehabilitation for young people rather than punitive measures. Initiatives such as the Youth Endowment Fund, established under the Serious Violence Strategy, allocated resources to various programs that offer young individuals and those at risk with educational programmes, music, sports and therapy as an alternative to prevent young people from becoming involved in violent crime. The report on Early Intervention to Reduce Crime (2019) demonstrates that early intervention programs effectively reduce youth crime. For instance, family-based programs, such as multisystemic therapy (MST), have proven effective in decreasing aggression and reoffending. Gaffney et al. (2021) also concluded that social skills training programmes are beneficial in preventing violent crime, showing that social training programs have, on average, decreased juvenile criminal activities by 32%.
Boris Johnson’s government implemented the Beating Crime Plan in July 2021 to reduce serious violence and neighbourhood crime. The strategy involved a more law enforcement approach to crime prevention, recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers, expanding the police stop and search powers to remove more knives from the street, and expanding the use of electronic monitoring (Home Office, 2021). However, the proposal to expand stop and search powers has drawn significant criticism due to concerns over racial disproportionality. Data show that BAME individuals were 4.1 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white individuals in the year ending 31 March 2020. During this period, 558,973 searches were conducted in England and Wales under s.1 of the PACE Act 1984 and related legislation, yet only 73,423 resulted in an arrest. Additionally, searches conducted under s.60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 rose by 35% compared to the previous year to 18,081 by the year ending 31 March 2020, further raising questions regarding these powers’ fairness and effectiveness (Home Office, 2020). Nevertheless, police officers believe in the efficacy of stop and search powers, asserting that it is a powerful tool to combat violence and weapons (Delsol, 2015). There is evidence to suggest that stop and search powers are effective to some extent in removing weapons from Britain’s streets; since 2019, more than 100,000 weapons have been seized, resulting in a 25% reduction in serious violence (Home Office, 2023).
Legislation also has supported these strategies. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 introduced new offences relating to the possession of prohibited weapons, and in 2024, the Act was further strengthened by restricting the online sales of bladed products to individuals under the age of 18 in an effort to tackle knife crime along with young people. Importantly, the legislation placed a statutory duty on online retailers and delivery companies to ensure compliance by demonstrating that they have taken “all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence” to prevent the sale or delivery of knives to underage individuals (Dowbs, 2025:7).
The 2019 Act also introduced the Knife Crime Prevention Order (KCPOs) for individuals over the age of 12. The KCOPs are a police tool to help tackle knife crime; they are a civil order imposed on individuals with the approval of courts on individuals aged 12 and over who are either convicted of a knife crime offence or are deemed by the police to be at risk to engage in knife crime (Home office, 2021). These civil orders can impose prohibitions on the individual, such as carrying a knife, not being allowed in a particular area or curfew; however, the orders can also impose positive requirements on the person to help change their behaviour or improve their situation. The positive requirements include anything from attending educational programmes, counselling, or anger management classes (Home Office, 2022). The government asserted that these measures aim to be preventative rather than punitive approaches to crime prevention. Nonetheless, despite KCOPs being a civil order, their imposition is recorded on the individual’s criminal record, potentially impacting their future, and failure to comply with the order provisions can result in a criminal offence and a sentence of up to two years in prison. Although KCOPs are intended to assist young people, they may result in the criminalisation of non-criminal conduct, mainly because KCOPs do not demand the criminal standard of proof for a crime (Broadbent, 2021). Further, The Human Rights Charity Liberty stated that these orders fail to address the underlying causes of violence and are more likely to worsen these conditions by increasing the criminalisation of young people (Comyn, 2019). Additionally, McAra and McVie (2010) reinforce this argument, claiming that there exists a risk in the early targeting of children and families, which could result in the labelling and stigmatisation of these individuals, thereby creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Local strategies for preventing serious violence
At a local level, in 2018, London implemented the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) inspired by the Scottish VRU model, which is considered effective in reducing serious violence. The Scottish model has seen an immense decrease in homicides, serious assaults, robberies, and knife possession by 50% between 2006/07 and 2014/15. The VRU in Britain adopted a more holistic strategy for crime prevention by involving multiple agencies, from the police to local authorities, health and educational sectors, to community engagement. However, the program is focused on a defined population (Home Office, 2020). The effectiveness of the approach has been met with varied reviews despite its widespread acceptance in London by multiple agencies. The data indicates that in 2021, 30 youth homicides were recorded in the city, with the majority of these involving a knife (MOPAC, 2022). Nevertheless, the strategy appears to be on the right track in 2025, as evidenced by the fact that nearly 90% of individuals arrested for violent offences, which includes those under the age of 18, did not reoffend within the year following their interaction with a youth worker (Mayor of London, 2025). Quigg et al. (2023) further reaffirm that a multi-agency approach, early interventions, more protective factors, and preventative approaches to policing demonstrate encouraging impacts on crime reduction.
A reflection on the matter
Despite all the efforts the government has made to reduce violent crime, knife crime has continued to rise. England and Wales (excluding Greater Manchester) recorded approximately 50,500 knife and sharp instrument offences in 2023/24, an increase of 4.4% from 2022/23, and in the year 2023/24, London recorded 15,000 knife incidents (Allen & Wong, 2025). Regardless of the introduction of numerous strategies, the data indicates that knife crime persists, suggesting that current approaches may not be enough to address the underlying causes of violence.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe that the current strategies are sufficient to address violent crime, such as knife crime, or do you believe that additional measures should be implemented to reduce it?
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Very interesting. A bit disappointing that no matter what is tried, things don’t seem to be getting better.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I would love to hear what you think could work better in tackling the current issue.
I think teaching about knife crime at an earlier age would help, show the effects and devastation it can cause. Gang mentality happens early in certain areas and I think maybe most carry for protection because they expect rival gangs to carry too.
Early intervention is essential in preventing knife crime. There are already school-based programmes like Lives Not Knives aimed at teenagers aged 9 to 14, the SHARP project aimed at those aged 11 to 14, and the Knife Crime Awareness Programme to educate youths about the danger and consequences of carrying a knife. However, the effectiveness of these programs delivered in educational settings has mixed reviews because those children who are considered to be ‘at risk’ of knife crime are less likely to attend school and benefit from these programs.
You are correct in highlighting the role of gang culture, which in today’s society can be reinforced by social media and such platforms as TikTok, IG, YouTube or FB, which often glorify violence and can have an impact on youths’ behaviour. A recent research done in 2024 has shown that children who carried weapons were 2.3 more likely to have seen weapons and violent content on social media. Since social media plays an important part in today’s society and youth lives, preventative measures could involve a closer collaboration with these social platforms to limit the visibility of violent or gang content.
I like the content. Very thought provoking.
Very good read, informative and the information given is accurate and reliable. Specific research has been undertaken to make the references and information reliable and effective. Knife crime in general is a problem from our society and more provisions need to be put in to place and more extensive custodial sentencing would be clear and active detterant for offenders thinking about carrying or using a knife.
Your point on sentencing is interesting. While current strategies emphasise a more proactive approach, there is a valid argument that a more punitive approach could reduce violent crimes. However, achieving the right balance between deterrence and preventative approaches remains a key challenge in policy and strategy development.
In my opinion the most appropriate approach for violent crime will be the creation of family interventions for those with risk factors. Parenting and being involved in a child’s life is the best remedy to make them understand what right from wrong.
Ellie, thank you for sharing your thoughts about crime prevention interventions. I agree that parental intervention and early family support play an important part in shaping a child’s understanding of right and wrong. For instance, The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) supports the role of parental support in preventing early behaviour issues in children, and numerous researchers indicate that strengthening the family unit plays a significant part in reducing violent behaviour. Yet, the sustainability of these programmes frequently relies on regular funding, and without this financial stability or support from the government, these initiatives risk failing or not being implemented.
The informations of your content are very informative and interesting,your point of view is very helpful for all of us,but specially for the teenagers who in this days are free to do whatever they want without thinking about consequences.Unfortunately the social media in our days won’t help,because is free information about the violence, and is not a good one,even if the Gouverment try the best to reduce it.
Very interesting to read about. It gets us thinking about things we can do in the future to prevent serious violence and about the problems we are facing in England regarding violence and crime. Unfortunately too many people including children think it’s “cool” to be violent and carry weapons and aren’t being taught correctly about the dangers of this and how wrong they are. Too many people are subjected to violence and crime and it needs to be stopped.
This is a very well balanced and informed approach on how society is attempting to deal with knife crime. It would be helpful to know what measures the present Labour Government are putting in place to deal with this problem and how it are balancing the deterrent and preventative approaches.
Thank you, Wendy, for reading the blog and commenting. The current Labour government has introduced several initiatives to tackle knife crime using law enforcement and early intervention strategies. The new Crime and Policing bill would introduce a range of new measures to tackle knife crime. For instance, the bill will take stricter action on knife crime by giving more power to law enforcement agencies to seize, retain and destroy prohibited bladed articles found on private property, increase the maximum penalty for the sale of dangerous weapons to those under 18s, and creating a new offence of possessing and threatening someone with offensive weapon or bladed article with the intent to cause harm with a maximum 4 years imprisonment. Further, under the Labour government, the bill proposed to give more powers to the police to compel online platforms and marketplaces to take down any illegal content related to knives and weapons, but also the power to take civil action against senior executives of companies that do not comply with the regulations. However, since the new bill did not receive the Royal Assent, these measures are still not in power. Since violent crime is a complex issue, the Labour government took a step in the right direction to tackle knife crime. The Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime was launched in September 2024 in order to tackle the devastating impact of knife crime. This initiative brings together campaigners, victims’ families, young people, community leaders, education, and health professionals to address the root cause of knife crime. It also provides an opportunity for the government to ensure that young people have better access to tailored psychological support because research has shown that integrating mental health support can be an effective method of reducing crime, potentially leading to a 50% reduction in young people carrying knives.
The Labour government’s approach to crime prevention, especially knife crime, recognised that it is not just a criminal matter but a more complex issue that requires understanding why knife crime is happening. Their strategies aim to offer help and intervention for those at risk while ensuring there are clear legal consequences in place for those who choose to engage in violence, recognising that real and lasting changes need both a supportive (preventative approach) and a strong deterrent approach.
There are a few simple steps I believe the UK should be supporting, funding, and enforcing to quickly make our communities safer and stronger.”
1. More Youth Clubs and Activities
Give young people safe places to go after school where they can play sports, learn skills, and get support.
2. Better Education on Knife Crime
Teach kids in schools about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives — using real stories, not just facts.
3. Mentoring and Support
Connect at-risk young people with mentors or youth workers who can guide them and help them make better choices.
4. Safer Streets
Improve street lighting, install CCTV in high-crime areas, and create more community watch groups.
5. Community Policing
Have police officers work closely with communities so people feel safe and are more likely to report crime.
6. Knife Amnesty Bins
Place secure bins in public areas where people can safely hand in knives without getting in trouble.
7. Support for Families
Offer parenting classes and support for families going through tough times to prevent young people from turning to crime.
Every great journey, begins with a single step!
Thank you, Jessica, for taking the time to read the blog and for your detailed suggestions. Knife amnesty bins are already available in certain areas nationwide where weapons can be disposed of safely and anonymously. For instance, Lincolnshire police knife amnesty bins in several towns, and a total of 315 weapons were handed in, including knives, machetes, shotguns, and crossbows. The same Gloucestershire Police ran a two-week programme, and over 300 knives were handed in. However, many individuals perhaps are unaware of their existence or fear the consequences if they hand a knife in. Perhaps by increasing awareness, more publicity on national television and educational institutions about these bins would encourage more people to dispose of knives safely.
I also agree entirely with your point about supporting families and youth clubs. Strengthening family relationships and providing parenting support can be an effective long-term crime prevention strategy. However, it is crucial to note that youth clubs are heavily dependent on council funding, and unfortunately, many have been hit by budget cuts. Since 2010/11, youth services, including both youth clubs and youth workers, have faced a 69% funding cut, and around 750 youth centres have been closed across the country. As a result, many young people have been left without support or guidance, positive mentors, and social hubs.
Really solid piece. You broke it down well, and I liked how you gave a balanced view of all the different strategies, from early intervention to stop and search.
From my point of view, I definitely think the focus should be more on prevention and early support rather than just throwing more police into the mix. Things like education, mentorship, and giving young people something positive to do feel way more effective in the long run. I’ve seen this happening in real life too—at my gym, they’re trying to bring in more young people and create a safe space. There’s a real push there around the idea of “knives down, gloves up”—trying to give lads another way to channel energy and feel part of something.
The bit about the Scottish model stood out to me too. A community-led, multi-agency approach just makes sense—it’s about building trust and giving people real alternatives, not just reacting after something’s already gone wrong.
You ended it strong as well, with the reflection that despite all these measures, knife crime is still rising. That really hit, because it shows how deep the issue is. It’s not just about laws—it’s about society and what’s going on underneath.
Seriously, great read. Keep going—you’ve got a proper voice for this stuff
Thank you so much for your comment and feedback. Early intervention is absolutely necessary in preventing criminal behaviour if we want to create long-term change. Programmes that focus on positive reinforcement, such as the ‘knife down, gloves up’ initiative you mentioned in your comment, are the perfect example of positive reinforcement and early intervention that gives young individuals a sense of purpose and belonging. It is fantastic to hear about the genuine initiative occurring at your gym; it demonstrates how local community engagement can make significant change – a programme that teaches them that there is an alternative to crime.
You are entirely correct that knife crime is still on the rise despite the implementation of numerous policies and strategies, which only indicates how complex this problem is. While laws are crucial in a society, genuine change will only occur when society as a whole is involved.
A very informative read. Thankyou. We should always put emphasis on families enabling them to bring up their children well.
Interesting. Committing a knife crime is a juncture that takes the person onto a new life trajectory, one that cannot be reversed, and which damages both people, albeit in different ways. The principles informing the legislation seem appropriate, recognising that prevention is better, and that this is a complex problem. The simpler strategy is working to restrict availability of weapons. The bigger challenge is fostering the emergence of a confident, principled and open approach to life and other people, something for which legislation is perhaps necessary, but not sufficient. There are useful suggestions in the posts above, and I wondered how much approaches to anger management are being used.
Carol, as you mentioned, the reality of knife crime not only affects the victim, but it alters lives on both sides. While legislation plays a vital role, particularly in restricting access to knives and sharp objects, the reality is that such objects are still easily accessible, especially in domestic settings. For instance, the current laws, such as Ronan’s Law and the Offensive Weapons Act, aim to make it harder for minors to obtain knives through online purchases and try to close the loopholes on retailers. However, as you pointed out, legislation alone is insufficient to address the complexity of such offences, and here is where prevention and early intervention play a significant role.
In response to your question about anger management, various programs help with emotional regulation in individuals. For instance, many Youth Offending Teams across the country incorporate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and anger management therapy interventions to help individuals recognise triggers, manage anger and also help them respond constructively in stressful situations. Research suggests that CBT, particularly combined with anger management therapy is effective in reducing reoffending rates and also it helps improve the overall well-being of offenders.
It seems to me that quite a lot has been tried, based on your article, Elena. Maybe the local initiative listed, which seems to have had some success in Scotland and copied in other parts of the UK than just London – major cities – if it has not already been tried.
Val, thank you for your involvement in the blog.
Indeed, many strategies are being introduced across the country to tackle violent crime. The VRU model was first introduced in London. However, in 2019, £35 million was allocated to 18 Police Force Areas (PFAs) nationwide to establish their own VRUs through the Serious Violence Fund. In 2022, an additional 2 PFAs received funding to develop VRUSs in different regions.
Today, VRUs operate in several areas beyond London, including Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Humberside, or Avon and Somerset. These initiatives aim to replicate the Scottish VRU. The research and analysis on the Violence Reduction Units year ending March 2023 evaluation report shows promising early signs of effectiveness, which shows that this strategy is a start towards promising long-term prevention.
As a victim of knife crime hearing the lousy sentences given to these vicious individuals is heart breaking and leaves you with no hope in our judicial system nor the younger generation, the system needs be harsher on punishment upto two years is like a free all inclusive holiday for most of these individuals and the majority coming from rough neighbourhoods and upbringings most be happy to get such a short sentences and whilst being on the inside its all about making more connections so eventually when they are realesd they have larger and wider connections base which results into more and bigger crimes, However change it to life behind bars and you will see an instant change in figures, also the way gangs and violence are promoted by the government on our televisions and via the Internet through the movies and music industry only makes matters worse. Everybody wants to be like Scarface or the Godfather. Being apart of the local youth community centre knife crime is still a very big problem for us, we try to teach the kids to do better but again the lower class folks are the ones who neglect their kids without realising what they get upto on the streets and when the child gets home they will never connect with the child instead its a pint and 2 packets of crisp or a bottle of wine. If parents took more care of their children and connected with them more they would know what their childs getting upto, you wouldn’t have a loonatic roaming the streets with a blade. The government can do alot more to help but then the system wouldn’t work money wouldn’t flow how they want, without crime their is no criminal law so personally I think regardless of how hard we try they will always have the last laugh as they make money of this and they are not bothered what happens to the people until they are affected by something that’s when changes are made until then the rest of us just have to suffer. I also think if a child under the age of 18 commits such a crime the parents should also get a punishment that will definitely teach the parents to teach their kids to behave and be a upstanding law abiding citizen. More knife bins should be planted around the cities.
I’m very sorry to hear about your experience and what you have been through. Knife crime is a devastating issue both for the victim and the victim’s family, and it is entirely understandable your frustration with the current system. Harsher sentencing for violent crimes, such as knife offences, is a widely debated issue, and some individuals argue that longer sentences need to be used in order to act as a deterrent. In contrast, others emphasise that there needs to be a balanced approach between harsher penalties and rehabilitation. It is very true that, in many cases, short sentencing can seem very inadequate for a knife offence, especially for the victim and their families.
You’re right to mention parental responsibility in your comment. Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, courts can impose a parental order on the parents/guardians if a child is convicted of an offence or placed on an anti-social behaviour order. These parental orders aim to support the parents/guardians in improving their child’s behaviour, which requires them to attend support programmes or follow specific guidelines to prevent their child from repeating the same offence or similar behaviour. This initiative is aimed at helping parents become more involved in their children’s lives and support positive behaviour change in their children.
It is fantastic to hear about the positive local efforts, like your work with the youth centre! Such efforts play an important role in offering better paths for youths.
Realmente interesante el artículo.
Sin embargo es decepcionante el nivel de educación de las familias sus progenitores.
Una sociedad equilibrada se sostiene en tres pilares fundamentales: la familia, la educación y las leyes. Si uno de estos tres pilares falla, la sociedad se desequilibra.
Me gustaría saber cómo ves el futuro del asunto del problema??
This has been a very interesting and informative read. You have included so many facts and statistics which isn’t common knowledge to the average person so this blog has been very educating. It seems that the country and its politics faces constant pressure to make a water tight plan for reducing crime but will we ever get the balance right to actually achieve this mission? It seems an impossible task and the answer seems to always narrow down to lack of funding and resources which is extremely disappointing, especially for our youth who would benefit from early intervention.