KNIFE CRIME AWARENESS

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KNIFE CRIME AWARENESS
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Overview

• UK facts about Knife Crime
• Crimestoppers
• What is Knife Crime
• Knife Crime and the Law

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Facts

• Nearly a third of children in the UK have been
  affected by gun and knife crime. Source
  NCH/Action for Children 2008.
• One in five 16 year-old boys admits to having
  attacked someone and intended to hurt them
  seriously with a knife. Source National Youth
  Agency 2006.
• 63 of young people surveyed believe image is
  directly linked to gun and knife crime 61 think
  gun and knife crime is about revenge and
  reprisals and 63 believe peer pressure is a
  main reason for gun and knife crime. Source
  NCH/Action for Children 2008.
• The most commonly given reason for carrying a
  knife is for protection'. Other reasons include
  in case there's a fight' and for use in
  crimes' Source Offending, Crime and Justice
  Survey 2005.
• http//talkaboutknives.direct.gov.uk/index.html?gc
  lidCOT-783praACFShBlAodjCS1YQ

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What is Crimestoppers doing about knife crime?

• Latest knife crime statistics - 2009
• Last year, the number of homicides involving a
  knife or other sharp instrument fell (from 270 in
  2007/08 to 252 in 2008/09).
• There was a rise in attempted murders involving
  knives (245 in 2007/08 to 271 in 2008/09).
• Robbery offences involving knives fell by 2 last
  year.
• 28 teenagers were killed in violent incidents in
  London in 2008.
• The government says 80 of all knife crime
  happens in just a few areas, places like London,
  Leeds and Glasgow.
• http//www.crimestoppers-uk.org/how-we-help/knife-
  crime.html

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Your Thoughts.

• Listen to the facts and statements and see
  whether you agree or disagree with them and
  discuss why? You chose to go with that answer.

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Britain and Knife Crime

• Knife crime can involve many things, including
  just buying or carrying an illegal knife. In
  recent years, laws on selling and carrying knives
  have been tightened, and punishments for knife
  offences increased. Before you consider buying a
  knife, make sure its legal.

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• It is illegal for a shop to sell a knife to
  anyone under 16 in the UK. True or false?
• A True B False

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• A survey by the Be Safe Project shows that up to
  one in three young people regularly carry a
  knife. True or false?
• A True B False

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• A survey by the Be Safe Project shows that up to
  one in three young people regularly carry a
  knife. True or false?
• A True B False

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• What kind of knife can you carry in a public
  place?
• A Swiss army knife B Large kitchen knife C
  Flick knife

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• What is the name of the government Bill which
  covers young people and knives?
• A The Deadly Weapons Act B The Offensive
  Weapons Act C The Blade Act

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• Carrying a knife to defend yourself is an
  acceptable excuse in the law. True or false?
• A True B False
• http//news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4420000/n
  ewsid_4425400/4425462.stm

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What is knife crime?

• What is knife crime?
• Knife crime is any crime that involves a knife.
• This can include
• carrying or trying to buy a knife if youre under
  18
• threatening people with a knife
• carrying an illegal kind of knife
• murder or assault in which the victim was stabbed
  with a knife
• robbery or burglary where the thieves carried a
  knife as a weapon

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Carrying a knife

• If you carry a knife to protect yourself or make
  yourself feel safer but dont intend to use it
  then you are committing a crime. You are also
  more likely to become a victim of crime.
• Your own knife can be used against you.
• If you do want to know more about protecting
  yourself, there are much easier and safer ways to
  do it. You could, for example, take a
  self-defence course offered by your local
  council, or at a gym.

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Basic rules on knives

• If youre planning to buy or carry a knife, its
  important to know the rules. Anyone found
  breaking these laws can face up to four years in
  prison.
• These include
• it is illegal for any shop to sell a knife of any
  kind (including cutlery and kitchen knives) to
  anyone under the age of 18
• it is a crime to carry a knife in public without
  good reason for example, if you work as a chef
• the maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife
  is four years in prison and a fine of 5000
• it is illegal to carry, buy or sell any type of
  knife banned by the government (the list of
  banned knives is below)
• knives with folding blades, like Swiss Army
  knives, are not illegal as long as the blade is
  three inches long (7.62 cms) or less
• if any knife is used in a threatening way (even a
  legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife), it is
  regarded as an 'offensive weapon' by the law
• any sharp instrument even a screwdriver can
  be viewed by the police as an illegal offensive
  weapon if you do not have a good reason for
  carrying it

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Illegal knives

• There is a complete ban on the sale of some
  knives, which are considered to be offensive
  weapons.
• These include
• flick knives - knives where the blade is hidden
  inside the handle and shoots out when a button is
  pressed these are also called 'switchblades' or
  'automatic knives'
• butterfly knives - where the blade is hidden
  inside a handle that splits in two around it,
  like wings the handles swing around the blade to
  open or close it
• disguised knives - where the blade is hidden
  inside something like a belt buckle or fake
  mobile phone
• gravity knives
• sword-sticks
• samurai swords
• hand-claws
• foot-claws
• belt-buckle knives
• push daggers
• kubotan (cylindrical container, holding spikes)
• shuriken (also known as 'death stars' or
  'throwing stars')
• kusari-gama (sickle attached to a rope, cord or
  wire)
• kyoketsu-shoge (hook-knife attached to a rope,
  cord or wire)
• kusari (weight attached to a rope, cord or wire)

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What can you do about knife crime?

• Police and local councils regularly run
  anti-knife campaigns, and if youre upset or
  scared by knife crime, you might want to get
  involved. These usually involve events designed
  to let you know about problems in your area, and
  they give you the chance to talk with other
  people about the issues.
• If you're interested, contact your neighbourhood
  policing team. You can also just stop by your
  nearest police station to find out about
  anti-knife activities in your area.

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Knife Crime - What to look for

• Most young people decide they need to start
  carrying a knife because they feel threatened.
  Signs to look out for that may suggest your child
  is feeling this way are
• schools not going well / they dont want to go
  in to school at all
• theyve been a recent victim of theft / bullying
  / mugging
• a different network of friends who may be older
  than your child.
• Remind the young person that they should always
  walk away if confronted with the threat of
  violence.
• Other interests and activities for your child
• To help a young person have the confidence to
  walk away from violence, its important that you
  encourage them to get involved in positive
  activities and explore any interests they have.
  You can find out on Directgov what activities are
  happening in your area by following the link
  below.
• http//talkaboutknives.direct.gov.uk/lookout.html

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• 1. On average how often does a crime take place
  in England and Wales?
• (A) Every Second (B) Every 5 Seconds (C) Every
  30 Seconds (D) Every minute

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• 2. According to the latest British Crime Survey,
  what is the average likelihood of you being
  burgled?
• (A) 1 in 10 (B) 1 in 40(C) 1 in 80(D) 1 in 200

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• 3. What is the most popular time of day for
  burglaries?
• (A) At night when residents are in bed(B) Early
  in the morning(C) During the day(D) During the
  evening

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• 4. What percentage of burglars would reportedly
  be put off
• ...from breaking into property with a burglar
  alarm?
• (A) 10(B) 100(C) 47(D) 90

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• 5. What is stolen in a half of all robberies?
• (A) Cash(B) Mobile phone(C) Jewellery(D) MP3
  player

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• 6. Who is the typical homophobic hate offender?
• (A) A neighbour(B) Unemployed male aged between
  31-40(C) Teenage girl(D) Young white male aged
  between 16-20

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• 7. Who is the most likely to be a victim of
  violent crime by a stranger?
• (A) Full-time student(B) Unemployed(C) Young
  man(D) Young woman

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• 8. How many murders were recorded in the UK in
  2007?
• (A) 15(B) 927(C) 12,522(D) 1,987

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• 9. The 5.4 million crimes recorded in the UK in
  2007
• ...place it second only to which country in the
  EU?
• (A) Sweden(B) Italy(C) France(D) Spain

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• 10. According to a recent Home Office survey what
  percentage of 10 to 25-year-olds
• ...have carried a knife in the previous 12
  months?
• (A) 55(B) 0.5(C) 4(D) 2

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• 11. For every one teenage death caused by a knife
  attack
• ...approximately how many cases of hospital
  treatment for non-fatal knife wounds are
  recorded?
• (A) 2(B) 52(C) 3(D) 14

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• 12. How Many CCTV cameras are currently watching
  over Britain?
• (A) 560,000(B) 260(C) 17,000(D) 4.2 million

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• 13. What percentage of street robberies in London
  are now reportedly solved
• ...with the aid of the capitals 10,000 CCTV
  cameras?
• (A) 55(B) 11(C) 72(D) 3

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• 14. What is biggest culprit for the dramatic rise
  of online banking fraud
• ...between 2004 and 2008?
• (A) Key logging programmes(B) Phishing(C) Scam
  emails from supposed Nigerian businessmen(D)
  Teenage hackers

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• 15. The largest cash robbery in UK history netted
  53,116,760
• ...but where did it take place?
• (A) Northern Bank in Belfast(B) Bridego Railway
  Bridge, Ledburn, Buckinghamshire(C) Securitas
  Depot, Tonbridge, Kent(D) Lloyds Bank, Baker
  Street, London

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• 16. What was Steve Wright found guilty of on
  February 21, 2008?
• (A) The murder of five prostitutes in the Ipswich
  area(B) The rape of seven women and girls around
  the Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and
  London areas(C) The murder of 13-year-old school
  girl Amanda Dowler(D) Conspiracy to commit
  robbery at the Securitas Depot in Tonbridge, Kent

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• Answers
• (1) B (2) B (3) D (4) D (5) B (6) D (7) C (8) B
  (9) A (10) C (11) D (12) D (13) D (14) A (15) C
  (16) A
• http//www.securedhome.co.uk/crime-knowledge-quiz.
  html

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• 1. If you are convinced you are being followed in
  the street
• ...what should you do?
• (A) Quickly head into the nearest public place,
  or any residence or business that looks occupied.
  (B) Cross the road and run in the opposite
  direction. (C) Turn around and confront them to
  ask them why they are following you. (D) Stop
  and scream, Stop following me! as loud as you
  can.

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• 2. Whilst walking home through the park late a
  night you hear strange sounds
• ...coming from the bushes, what should you do?
• (A) Go and investigate whats going on. (B)
  Break out into a sprint and dont look back. (C)
  This wouldnt happen as you know never walk
  through secluded places such as alley ways, parks
  or waste ground, after dark. (D) Ignore it all
  sorts of strange things go on in parks late at
  night, its best not to pry.

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• 3. If a stranger in the street threatens you with
  a weapon
• ...and demands your valuables, what should you
  do?
• (A) Run as fast you can. (B) Say No and simply
  turn and walk away. (C) Give them what they
  want.(D) Scream.

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• 4. If you are a regular jogger, which of these
  methods will NOT help you
• ...to avoid unwanted attention?
• (A) Wearing dark or bland coloured clothing. (B)
  Running a variable route. (C) Sticking to well
  lit and populated areas. (D) Running very fast.

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• 5. After a late night out in town
• ...what is the safest way of getting home?
• (A) Getting the night bus. (B) Hailing a taxi.
  (C) Walking. (D) Booking a licensed taxi to
  share with friends who live in a similar area.

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• 6. When walking home late at night
• ...which of these safety measures are you not
  advised to adopt?
• (A) Stick to well lit public areas. (B) Walk in
  company. (C) Wear a large hat so that your face
  cant be easily seen. (D) Keep valuables, such
  as mobile phones or jewellery, out of sight.

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• 7. If a stranger comes up to you in the street
• ...to ask for change or a cigarette what should
  you do?
• (A) Blank them completely. (B) Stop and give
  their request your undivided attention. (C) Run.
  (D) Politely say No whilst carrying on
  walking.

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• 8. To avoid attracting unwanted attention, what
  street manner is it best to adopt?
• (A) Act confident, with your head high, as if you
  know where you are going, even if you dont. (B)
  Attract assistance by looking like a tourist,
  such as in holding a map and appearing confused.
  (C) Keep your head down and your shoulders
  hunched to avoid catching a strangers eye. (D)
  Try to appear tough and cocky by walking with a
  strut, and with your chin in the air. Chewing gum
  also increases the effectiveness of the manner.

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• 9. If you are travelling by public transport at
  night
• ...which of these tips is it NOT necessary to
  observe?
• (A) Always plan your route beforehand. (B) Try
  to wait in well lit areas, ideally with a group
  of other passengers. (C) Try to strike up
  conversations with other passengers. (D) Try to
  sit near other passengers or members of staff.

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• 10. What should you NOT do when using a cash
  machine?
• (A) Accept help from a stranger.(B) Keep you PIN
  secret from everyone, even the bank or the
  police.(C) Shield you PIN from the people around
  you.(D) Cancel your card immediately if it is
  lost, stolen or eaten by the machine.

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• Answers
• (1) A (2) C (3) C (4) D (5) D (6) C (7) D (8) A
  (9) C (10) A
• http//www.securedhome.co.uk/quiz-how-street-smart
  -are-you.html

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Can I buy a knife?

• Knives
• In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, if you're
  under the age of 18 you're not allowed to buy
• Any knife, knife blade or razor blade
• Any axe
• Any other article which has a blade or is sharply
  pointed
• In Scotland, you cannot buy any type of knife if
  you're under 16 years old.
• Illegal blades
• Some knives are illegal to everyone, however old
  they are
• Flick knives - Where the blade is hidden inside
  the handle and shoots out when a button is
  pressed. They are also called switchblades or
  automatic knives.
• Butterfly knives - Where the blade is hidden
  inside a handle that splits in two around it,
  like wings. The handles swing around the blade to
  open or close it.
• Disguised knives - The blade is hidden inside
  something like a belt buckle or a fake mobile
  phone.

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What is a knife amnesty?

• A knife amnesty is something the police use to
  try to get people to give up any illegal knives
  they may have.
• During an amnesty people can hand in their knives
  at police stations without getting into trouble.
• In some areas, secure bins are also put in places
  like schools, youth clubs and churches to
  encourage more people to dump their blades.
• Tough punishments
• In the past, knife amnesties have been very
  successful, with people giving up thousands of
  illegal knives and weapons.
• When an amnesty ends, tough punishments are
  reintroduced for anyone who's caught carrying a
  knife.
• That can mean getting a huge fine or even being
  sent to prison.

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• Reporting knife crime anonymously
• If you have information about knife crime and
  you're nervous about going to the police, you can
  call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They will
  never ask for your name or try to trace the
  number that you're calling from.

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Extra Reading

• Notes and Extra Information
• Links