Knife crime is a societal problem, so it is everyone's responsibility. Knife Crime Awareness Week is an initiative led by the Ben Kinsella Trust to highlight the complexity of the problem, the devastation that it causes to families and communities and ultimately, that knife crime is preventable. 

Through raising awareness, educating others and taking action, we can all be the change that is needed. 

Knife crime data 

21,426 assault with injury and assault with intent to cause serious harm offences involving a knife (within the overall police recorded offences – up to December 2025) 

19,533 Robbery offences involving a knife (within the overall police recorded offences – up to December 2025) 

6,246 Threats to kill offences involving a knife (within the overall police recorded offences – up to December 2025) 

205 murders involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2025. 

52 young people aged under 25 were murdered with a knife or sharp object in the 12 months to March 2025. 14 were aged under 16. 

22 young people aged 13–19 were murdered using a knife or sharp object in the 12 months up to March 2025. 

15 machetes were recorded as the type of sharp instrument used in a homicide in the year ending March 2025. 

95 kitchen knives were the type of sharp instrument used in a homicide and the most frequent murder weapon, accounting for 46% of all knife homicides (year ending March 2025.) 

2 Zombie knives were recorded as the type of sharp instrument used in a homicide in the year ending March 2025. 

Source: Office for National Statistics 
 

Read Olly’s story, how a 13-year-old boy who led an ‘ordinary life’ became a victim of knife crime.

Click here for other further information and support
 

BE BLUNT  
Most knives used in knife crime are kitchen knives. Cooking does not require kitchen knives to have a pointed end, and the point is what is used to carry out significant stabbing, piercing and death by blood loss. By replacing traditional knives with blunt-ended knives in our homes, we can all reduce the risk of knife crime. Every family can make a difference. Click here for more information.