Under-18s Account for 15% of Knife Homicides—the Highest in a Decade

Under-18s Account for 15% of Knife Homicides—the Highest in a Decade

Recent data paints a concerning picture: knife crime among young people is on the rise.

In 2023-24, 13.1% of hospital admissions for knife-related assaults involved children aged 0-17—the highest percentage in a decade. This marks a significant climb from 8.7% in 2013-14. Under-18s accounted for 15% of homicides involving knives, also the highest figure in ten years, highlighting a worrying trend that demands immediate action.

The shift in the age profile of knife assault victims is striking. While admissions for 18-24-year-olds have dropped from 30% to 24% over the past decade, those involving under-18s have risen.

Research shows many young people carry knives out of fear or a misguided attempt at self-protection. Vulnerable children—those excluded from school or exploited—are most at risk. This is why it’s crucial to prevent their access to dangerous items.

At Serve Legal, we believe retailers and couriers bear a crucial responsibility to ensure age-restricted items, like knives, are not sold to minors. They are on the frontlines of prevention, and their role is vital. By enforcing robust age verification policies, businesses can play an essential part in combating this growing problem.

Strict adherence involves implementing rigorous systems to verify buyers’ ages, providing regular staff training on legal and ethical obligations, and maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to compliance failures.

Compliance with age verification policies is not just a legal requirement—it’s a matter of saving lives.