V IOLENT C RIME Definition of violent crime... “Violent crime can be seen as any illegal act which uses force or threat of force”

W HAT WOULD YOU CLASS AS A VIOLENT CRIME.....? Assault. Stabbing. Shooting. Rape with or without weapon. Physical threats. Verbal threats. Murder. Intentional manslaughter. Kidnap / abduction. All of the above are classed as forms of violent crime due to the nature and manner in which they affect both victim and assailant.

K NIFE C RIME AND S TABBING It is an offence for any person, without lawful authority or good reason, to have with him/her in a public place, any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed except for a folding pocket-knife which has a cutting edge to its blade not exceeding 3 inches. (Criminal Justice Act, Section 139(1). 75% of violent crime involved the use of a weapons, i.e. Firearms, sharps or blunt implements. 38% of violent crime involved wounding and serious wounding from sharp or pointed implements. Out of a total of 1045 homicides (including murder, manslaughter and infanticide), 27% were due to the use of knives or other sharp implements. Information taken from British Crime Statistics sourced from, security.com/facts-knife-crime-stats.htmhttp:// security.com/facts-knife-crime-stats.htm

C ASE STUDY James walks home from school and is often the victim of verbal abuse from some of the older kids at his school. On returning home one night James goes into the kitchen and takes a small knife out and puts it in his uniform pocket. The following day whilst on his way home James is passing a group of kids who shout abuse and push into him. James reaches into his pocket and pulls out the knife and confronts the kids.... In your groups discuss the possible negative outcomes from this situation. what could have been done to prevent this situation.

K NIFE C RIME A CTIVITY For this activity you will need to form groups and collect a sheet of flipchart and pen from your team leader. In groups discuss the effects of knife crime on the following: The victim The assailant The families of both victims and assailants.  You should present your discussion back to the group, try to imagine yourself in each of the persons positions.