Barnardo’s has responded to today’s knife crime figures published by the Office for National Statistics. Knife crime was at record levels before the first lockdown and the charity fears that with rising unemployment and months of school closures, offences could “erupt” once restrictions are lifted and life begins to return to normal.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:
“This reduction in recorded offences is unsurprising given the current situation. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions have artificially depressed knife crime figures which were at an all-time high before Covid-19 struck. During the first lockdown from April to June last year offences plummeted by 22%, but rose by 25% again in July to September, giving us an idea of what might erupt once restrictions are lifted and life begins to return to normal.
“Children and young people have spent months out of school and away from their support networks, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation and control by criminal gangs who have seized on the disruption. With rising unemployment and poor job prospects, some young people are finding it hard to believe in a positive future, and see no alternative but to turn to a dangerous way of making money, carrying knives to protect themselves.
“Our See Hear Respond partnership has worked with over 30,000 children and young people in street-based settings during lockdown. Nearly a third of these children are outside the home to escape parental conflict and domestic abuse, and two thirds told us financial pressures at home are a real concern.
“To reduce knife crime, we need to address this poverty of hope felt by too many children and young people. The Government must use the opportunity of the Serious Violence Bill to lead a joined up approach to tackling the root causes of these crime. We look forward to working with Ministers to ensure the legislation improves support and safeguards for vulnerable young people."