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Knives affect 'one-in-10 youths' Knives affect 'one in 10 youths'
(1 day later)
More than one in every 10 young people have been personally affected by gun and knife crime, according to a report by children's charity NCH. More than one in every 10 young people has been personally affected by gun and knife crime, according to a report by children's charity NCH.
It found 36% of youths had fears about such crimes in their area and 20% felt they were sometimes or often in danger.It found 36% of youths had fears about such crimes in their area and 20% felt they were sometimes or often in danger.
Clare Tickell, of NCH, said the study of 800 people under 25 conducted over six months, was a "dramatic snapshot".Clare Tickell, of NCH, said the study of 800 people under 25 conducted over six months, was a "dramatic snapshot".
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the "majority of young people were honest and law-abiding".Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the "majority of young people were honest and law-abiding".
The study, Step Inside Our Shoes: Young People's Views On Gun And Knife Crime, also recommended more access to structured activities, and involving young people in developing community-based youth services.The study, Step Inside Our Shoes: Young People's Views On Gun And Knife Crime, also recommended more access to structured activities, and involving young people in developing community-based youth services.
NCH has called for youngsters under the age of 16 to be included in official crime survey data to help understand the extent to which young people are victims of crime. NCH has called for youngsters under the age of 16 to be included in official crime survey data to help understand the extent to which young people are victims of crime. Instead of demonising youth, we need to engage and challenge Clare TickellNCH chief executive
Instead of demonising youth, we need to engage and challenge Clare TickellNCH chief executive
Some 29% of those surveyed said they had been affected by gun and knife crime - 15% were affected personally.Some 29% of those surveyed said they had been affected by gun and knife crime - 15% were affected personally.
And 41% of respondents said they knew someone who had been personally affected by gun and knife crime.And 41% of respondents said they knew someone who had been personally affected by gun and knife crime.
Launching the report, Ms Tickell, the charity's chief executive said: "We're talking about young children who have real detailed knowledge about gun culture, teenagers who know someone that has been stabbed and many young people who don't feel safe in their own neighbourhood."Launching the report, Ms Tickell, the charity's chief executive said: "We're talking about young children who have real detailed knowledge about gun culture, teenagers who know someone that has been stabbed and many young people who don't feel safe in their own neighbourhood."
She said there was a need to "stop generalising and labelling young people as just the problem".She said there was a need to "stop generalising and labelling young people as just the problem".
"They are a group that can take us to the solution," said Ms Tickell."They are a group that can take us to the solution," said Ms Tickell.
Longer sentencesLonger sentences
"Instead of demonising youth, we need to engage and challenge, leaving children and young people with the emotional wellbeing and confidence to meet life's challenges," she added."Instead of demonising youth, we need to engage and challenge, leaving children and young people with the emotional wellbeing and confidence to meet life's challenges," she added.
Nearly two-in-three respondents cited drugs, self-protection, image, peer pressure and revenge as reasons for their peers becoming involved in gun and knife crime.Nearly two-in-three respondents cited drugs, self-protection, image, peer pressure and revenge as reasons for their peers becoming involved in gun and knife crime.
And 53% said giving 17 to 21-year-olds longer sentences could help reduce such crime.And 53% said giving 17 to 21-year-olds longer sentences could help reduce such crime.
Mr Coaker will later meet young people from NCH projects.Mr Coaker will later meet young people from NCH projects.
'Glamour' factor'Glamour' factor
The minister said: "We know the majority of young people are honest and law-abiding and that when they come into contact with the criminal justice system, it is more likely as the victim than the perpetrator.The minister said: "We know the majority of young people are honest and law-abiding and that when they come into contact with the criminal justice system, it is more likely as the victim than the perpetrator.
"We also know that when young people do carry weapons, they do so largely out of fear."We also know that when young people do carry weapons, they do so largely out of fear.
"That is why we are working on a new £1m marketing campaign aimed at challenging the 'glamour', fear and peer pressure that can drive youngsters to knife crime.""That is why we are working on a new £1m marketing campaign aimed at challenging the 'glamour', fear and peer pressure that can drive youngsters to knife crime."
He said the move "builds on tough legislation and enforcement", arguing that the government had "doubled the maximum sentence for carrying a knife from two to four years and raised the age at which you can buy a knife from 16 to 18".He said the move "builds on tough legislation and enforcement", arguing that the government had "doubled the maximum sentence for carrying a knife from two to four years and raised the age at which you can buy a knife from 16 to 18".