Knife Crime: What parents need to know and what they can do

What’s the Problem? 

Knife crime is a devastating issue affecting communities across the UK. It’s a crisis ripping through communities, leaving families shattered and futures stolen. Across the UK, and especially in cities like London, young people are being pulled into violence, not because they want to hurt others, but because fear leaves them feeling like they have no choice. The numbers don’t lie. Knife crime is rising, lives are being lost, and entire communities are being scarred. 

But this isn’t just about crime – it’s about a system that’s failing young people. Over the last decade, nearly £1bn has been stripped from youth services, gutting the very spaces designed to keep young people safe and supported. When opportunities vanish, youth clubs close their doors and hope is replaced with struggle, where do young people turn? 

We are all looking for a sense of belonging but when the places that offer safety and community are torn away, that need doesn’t disappear – it just shifts. For too many young people, the only spaces left are the ones that lead them into danger, into gangs and into exploitation. And once they’re in, getting out isn’t easy. This isn’t just a problem. It’s a failure we can’t afford to ignore. 

What Are We Doing About It? 

At XLP, we work with young people who are at risk of getting pulled into dangerous cycles. We provide them with positive role models, safe spaces and the support they need to make different choices. Our youth workers build trust by showing up again and again over a long time. We work in schools, running group and one-to-one sessions that help young people stay in education and open doors to futures they never thought possible. Through mentoring we pair young people with trusted adults who challenge, inspire, and guide them toward a different kind of success. 

We create communities through sports, music and the arts where we offer young people a sense of belonging that doesn’t come with the risks of gangs or street life. These avenues aren’t just hobbies – they’re lifelines. And when it comes to employability, we don’t just help young people find jobs, but fight to remove the barriers that hold them back, equipping them to thrive in education, training and the workplace. 

Tackling knife crime takes all of us. Parents, schools, communities—everyone has a role to play. And at XLP, we’re making sure they have the tools, the knowledge, and the courage to step up. 

Story: Uche’s Journey 

Uche was just 16 when he was stabbed.

“A few years ago, someone stole my bike. When I confronted him, he stabbed me. I was in a dark place – angry, hurting and wanting revenge. I wanted him to feel the same pain I did. Then XLP stepped in. They supported me when I was drowning in rage. I realised if I stabbed him back, or went after someone else, the cycle would never stop. We’d all just keep stabbing each other. Talking to my youth worker changed everything. We spoke about anger, revenge and what it really means to break free. For the first time, I felt like I was more than just my pain. I had a choice. My youth worker showed me that I could do more good than harm. That’s what XLP does. They give young people a safe space to figure out who they really are. It’s like a home, a place where you can just be yourself, explore what you love and build a future. To be real, if I hadn’t had that? I’d probably be in jail or dead. XLP gave me space to grow, to heal, to understand. And because of that I’m here today. Youth work is the antidote to youth violence and XLP are smashing it.” 

What Could the Future Look Like? 

Imagine a future where young people don’t feel like they need to carry a knife to stay safe. A future where every child has role models who inspire them, where parents feel empowered to guide their kids, and where schools and communities stand together to protect young lives.

New laws are cracking down on knife sales with tougher ID checks, but tougher laws and more police alone won’t end knife crime. The real fight is won through preventative measures like mentoring, education and community support. 

Imagine a future where young people don’t feel like they need to carry a knife to stay safe. A future where every child has role models who inspire them, where parents feel empowered to guide their kids, and where schools and communities stand together to protect young lives. At XLP, we know this future is possible. But it won’t happen unless we all step up. We need radical investment. 

Knife crime has soared because investment has dropped – it’s as simple as that. We cannot plaster over the cracks with empty words, but need to build a partnership which must include government – local and national. And that means funding it properly. 

Jesus didn’t stand at a distance. He rolled up his sleeves and got his hands dirty. He showed us what happens when heaven and earth collide. If we’re going to bring some heaven to the hellish realities on our streets, then it’s going to take that radical investment. 

Parents, teachers, charities and policymakers – this isn’t someone else’s problem to solve. When we leave it to “someone else,” it never gets done. “It takes a village” isn’t just a saying – it’s the truth. We can create spaces where young people feel seen, supported and hopeful about their futures. Knife crime isn’t inevitable – change is. But only if we make it happen. 

How Can You Get Involved? 

If you’re a parent, you have more influence in the fight against knife crime than you might think. Here’s what you can do: 

• Talk to your child – Have real, open conversations. Skip the lectures – ask questions, listen and try to understand what they’re facing. A non-judgemental chat can go a long way. 
• Encourage safe spaces – Every young person is looking for somewhere to belong. Steer them toward positive environments like sports, the arts and mentoring where they can thrive without risk. 
• Stay informed – Know what’s happening in young people’s worlds. Be aware of the pressures they’re under, the risks they face and the choices they have to make. Talk to them. Learn more. 
• Back youth work – Support the organisations doing the work, like XLP! Volunteer, fundraise, spread the word… whatever you can do, do it! Because this fight needs all of us. 

Knife crime isn’t just a problem – it’s a challenge we can take on together. With awareness, action and support, we can build safer communities and give young people the futures they deserve.

Find out more at xlp.org.uk