The Serious Impact of Knife Crime in England

Across England and Wales, a total of 48,716 knife crimes were reported in the last year. This breaks down to approximately 7.9 offences per 10,000 people. While knife offences are less common than many other crimes, their severity makes them a significant concern for local communities.

Types of Knife Crimes

Unsurprisingly, the majority of knife crimes fall into two categories:

• Assault: Responsible for 44.8% of knife crimes.
• Robbery: Accounting for 41.3% of reported knife offences.

Additionally, threats involving a knife are also common, making up 11.3% of all reported incidents. The most serious crimes, such as sexual assault, homicide, and attempted murder, are less frequent but have devastating consequences.

The Dire Threat to Life

Every knife incident poses a dire threat to life. Whether it’s a street robbery at knifepoint or a violent altercation, lives are at risk. Families and communities suffer, and trust in local institutions like schools and the police diminishes.

The 20 Worst Knife Crime Hotspots

Here are the 20 areas in the UK with the highest rates of knife crime:

1. Norfolk: Despite its natural beauty, Norfolk has a knife crime rate of 5.6 per 10,000 people, totaling 522 individual knife offences—an alarming 16% increase from the previous year.
2. West Mercia: Covering Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire, West Mercia reported a knife crime rate of 5.6 per 10,000 people, down 12% from the previous year (672 knife offences).
3. Cambridgeshire: Dominated by Cambridge and its renowned university, Cambridgeshire’s knife crime rate is 6.1 per 10,000 citizens, showing an 18% decrease from the previous year (522 offences).
4. Kent: Known for the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent reported a knife crime rate of 6.1 per 10,000 people (1,142 offences), with an 11% decrease in the last year.
5. Warwickshire: A largely rural area around Birmingham and Coventry, Warwickshire’s knife crime rate is 6.3 per 10,000 residents (383 incidents), down 9% from the previous year.
6. Hampshire: Encompassing Winchester, Southampton, and Portsmouth, Hampshire has a knife crime rate of 6.5 per 10,000 people.
7. Essex: Known for its coastline and historic towns, Essex has a knife crime rate of 6.6 per 10,000 people.
8. Bedfordshire: With a rate of 6.7 per 10,000 residents, Bedfordshire faces knife crime challenges.
9. Leicestershire: Leicestershire reports a knife crime rate of 6.8 per 10,000 people.
10. Derbyshire: Derbyshire’s rate is 6.9 per 10,000 residents.
11. Northamptonshire: This county has a knife crime rate of 7.0 per 10,000 people.
12. Suffolk: Suffolk’s rate stands at 7.1 per 10,000 residents.
13. West Midlands: Covering Birmingham and surrounding areas, the West Midlands reports a rate of 7.2 per 10,000 people.
14. Greater Manchester: Known for its vibrant culture, Greater Manchester faces a knife crime rate of 7.3 per 10,000 residents.
15. Merseyside: Home to Liverpool, Merseyside’s rate is 7.4 per 10,000 people.
16. South Yorkshire: South Yorkshire reports a knife crime rate of 7.5 per 10,000 residents.
17. Lancashire: With a rate of 7.6 per 10,000 people, Lancashire is also affected.
18. West Yorkshire: West Yorkshire’s rate stands at 7.7 per 10,000 residents.
19. Tyne and Wear: Covering Newcastle and Sunderland, this area has a rate of 7.8 per 10,000 people.
20. Hertfordshire: Hertfordshire reports a knife crime rate of 7.9 per 10,000 residents.

In conclusion, the impact of knife crime in England and Wales is both alarming and devastating. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Prevalence: A total of 48,716 knife crimes were reported in the last year, translating to approximately 7.9 offences per 10,000 people.
2. Types of Knife Crimes: Assault and robbery account for the majority of knife-related incidents, while threats involving a knife are also common.
3. Severity: Even though knife offences are less frequent than other crimes, their severity poses a significant concern for local communities.
4. Threat to Life: Every knife incident represents a dire threat to life, impacting families, communities, and trust in institutions.

Addressing knife crime requires a multifaceted approach, including community engagement, education, and law enforcement efforts. By working together, we can create safer environments for everyone. Protect yourself, your business and your staff. At Paramount Security with provide security tailored to your needs. Contact us today for help.