According to a recent study, published by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, recorded muggings, involving the use of knives, have increased from 25,500 in 2004-5 to 64,000 in the year to April 2007. This reflects 175 victims every day, compared to just 69 in 2004-5.
Every day, between 1997 and 2005, 13 people required hospital admission for treatment following stab injuries 1. Knife-related injuries are a major public health issue and treating victims of knife crime places a massive strain on our already overstretched NHS.
Injuries caused by knives can have a devastating effect on victims and their loved ones. According to Home Office figures, between 1995-200, 37.9% of homicide victims were the victims of stabbings-the commonest cause of death. A similar study in Scotland East London hospital revealed 309 injuries over a 2 year period, of which 259 victims required admission, 184 required surgery and 8 died of their injuries 3. This audit suggested that the injuries were becoming more serious. In an editorial in the BMJ in 2005, a team of emergency physicians called for a ban on pointed-tip kitchen knives of the dagger variety, which anecdotally are thought tobe used in a significant proportion of forensic knife injuries 4.
There are no reliable statistics on the incidence of knife carrying. With the rise in gang culture, many young people carry knives because of peer pressure or for protection against assailants. This creates a vicious cycle and evidence suggests that young people carrying knives are themselves more likely to be victims of knife-inflicted injuries. Evidence from the British Crime Survey 2005-6 suggests that young men, those from minority ethnic communities and the poor are most likely to be victims of violent crime 5.
Tackling the rise in knife crime will require an integrated approach, involving a number of government departments and other agencies. This must include action to address the root causes of violent crime as well as robust measures to deter young people from carrying knives. Further research will be required to evaluate various interventions to reduce knife-inflicted injuries. Steps need to be taken to reduce poverty, unemployment and social deprivation-all factors known to predispose young people to commit violent acts. Young people need positive role models, together with training opportunities if they are to turn their backs on the sub-culture of violence and knife carrying. Educational strategies will be required to provide young people with information about the consequences of knife injuries. High profile knife amnesties, such as the 2006 amnesty which saw 90,000 knives surrendered, are only part of the solution. The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 gave teachers tough powers to search pupils, suspected of carrying weapons. The Act also raises the age at which young people are allowed to purchase knives from 16 to 18. Currently, those prosecuted for carrying knives illegally may be imprisoned for up to 2 years, yet custodial sentences are rarely handed down. This is an ineffective deterrent and tougher penalties, together with robust enforcement have a vital role in preventing the increase in knife crime.
Web resources:
References:
1. Maxwell, R., Trotter, C., Verne, J., Brown, P., Gunnell, D. (2007). Trends in admissions to hospital involving an assault using a knife or other sharp instrument, England
2. Leyland, A. H. (2006). Homicides involving knives and other sharp objects in Scotland
3. Konig, T., Knowles, C. H, West, A., Wilson
4. Hern E, Glazebrook W, Beckett M. Reducing knife crime. BMJ 2005;330: 1221-2
5. British Crime survey 2005/06 Home Office
Posts
1 comment:
People should read this.
Post a Comment