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Young Offenders: Crime Prevention

Answer

On 1 April 2026 new guidance was published by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to ensure every child caught carrying a knife will be given a mandatory, targeted plan produced by Police and Youth Justice Services to turn them away from crime. It is estimated this will put support in place for around 1,000 children that currently get no support or intervention following being caught in possession of a knife.

We are working to improve multi-agency information sharing, The Serious Violence Duty places a legal requirement on police, local authorities, youth offending teams, health, fire and probation services to work together, analyse the drivers of serious violence in their areas and develop local strategies to tackle it. The Serious Violence Duty is supported by powers to share data and information, helping agencies identify vulnerable young people earlier and provide effective interventions before violence occurs.

The Home Office is piloting more than 50 Young Futures Panels to identify children and young people at risk of violence or exploitation and connect them to appropriate support, including mentoring and trusted adult interventions. Through the programme, local areas are supported to commission evidence-informed interventions that respond to local needs.

The 2025 independent evaluation of Violence Reduction Units found that, together with hotspot policing, they have reduced violence among under-25s, preventing an estimated 3,750 hospital admissions for violent injury and 550 admissions for assault with a sharp object since 2019.

We are also taking action in response to concerns about children being vulnerable to gang exploitation. The Home Office is funding the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre to strengthen the intelligence-led law enforcement response to county lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation. Since July 2024, activity coordinated through the County Lines Programme has resulted in over 4,500 deal lines being closed, 12,600 arrests, 6,900 safeguarding referrals and 1,900 knives being seized. Independent evaluation found that the programme reduced hospitalisations resulting from knife stabbings by 25% across key exporter force areas.

The Government continues to encourage police forces to undertake a series of coordinated national weeks of action to tackle knife crime under Sceptre. The operation includes targeted stop and searches, weapon sweeps of hotspot areas, surrender of knives, including through amnesty bins, test purchases of knives from retailers, and educational events. The latest phase of Sceptre took place between 18 and 24 May 2026.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

22410

Session

2026-27

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Crime prevention Young offenders Information sharing

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk