Major Knife Crime Strategy Launched to Prevent Children Slipping Through the Net
Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has today unveiled a comprehensive new plan designed to ensure that no child caught carrying a knife escapes necessary intervention. The initiative mandates that police must refer every youngster found with a blade to local Youth Justice Services teams, who will then create a tailored plan to address the root causes of their behaviour and steer them away from criminal activity.
Mandatory Intervention and Increased Funding
The government has committed an additional £320 million to bolster Youth Justice Services across the country. This substantial investment will support the implementation of mandatory plans for children involved in knife-related incidents. Policing Minister Sarah Jones emphasised the urgency of the measures, stating that carrying a knife will now trigger an immediate and compulsory intervention with no exceptions allowed.
David Lammy explained the rationale behind the reforms: "Through early targeted action, we can guide children toward a positive future and prevent them from descending into a toxic cycle of reoffending. Our reforms provide local services with the certainty and resources they need to assist more young people, ultimately making our streets safer for everyone."
Proven Success and Campaigner Support
Government officials point to the success of the existing Turnaround programme, where approximately 90% of participating children avoided subsequent police cautions or court appearances. The new measures have received endorsement from anti-knife crime campaigners, including Patrick Green, chief executive of The Ben Kinsella Trust.
"Frequently, children and young people are drawn into serious violence due to deep-seated vulnerabilities and systemic pressures such as fear, trauma, and criminal exploitation," Green noted. "A sustained focus on early intervention and prevention is crucial and represents a significant step toward addressing the fundamental causes of knife crime."
Broader Context and Statistical Background
The Ministry of Justice and Home Office jointly developed these plans as part of the government's pledge to halve knife crime within the next decade. Recent data indicates promising trends, with knife homicides decreasing by 23% and overall blade offences dropping by 9% in the twelve months leading to September 2025. During this period, police forces recorded a total of 50,430 knife-related cases.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones reinforced the preventive nature of the strategy: "We are acting swiftly to stop violence before it begins and to maintain the safety of our streets." The mandatory plans may include enforced mentoring and other targeted support mechanisms designed to redirect young lives away from criminal pathways.
