The YJB has updated its Knife Crime Evidence and Insights Pack for 2025 to reflect the Youth Justice Statistics for 2023-24 which were published on 30 January 2025.
The YJB Knife Crime Evidence and Insights Pack for 2025 is a comprehensive report which informs the basis of cross-sector discussions hosted by the YJB. The pack provides context to the landscape of knife crime by summarising facts, and insights gathered from experts who work with children in the youth justice system.
YJB Youth Justice Statistics headlines
- In the year ending March 2024, there were just over 3,200 knife or offensive weapon offences committed by children resulting in a caution or sentence. This is 6% fewer than the previous year but 20% greater than 10 years ago and is the sixth consecutive year-on-year decrease.
- For the latest year, the vast majority (99.7%) of knife or offensive weapon offences committed by children were possession offences and the remaining 0.1% were threatening with a knife or offensive weapon offences.
- Out of court disposals are a method of resolving an investigation outside of court. In the year ending March 2024, 61% of disposals given to children for a knife or offensive weapon offence were a community sentence. This proportion is broadly stable over the past 10 years.
- The proportion of children sentenced to immediate custody was 7% in the past year, which is the same level it has been for the last 3 years.
This pack also provides recommendations based on the evidence. These insights draw attention to the significant role that early intervention, targeted prevention and diversion programs play in reducing knife crime by children.
Based on the insights, the YJB has made the following recommendations:
- The YJB supports attempts to reduce knife supply.
- The YJB supports individualised decisions on outcomes.
- The YJB supports local strategies to address the conditions that sustain violence.
- The YJB supports local partnerships working together to ensure that adults meet the needs of children.