In Walsall the most common age group for knife crime victims is 15 to 19 years old, and the most common age group for suspects is also 15 to 19.

In Walsall the most common age group for knife crime victims is 15 to 19 years old, and the most common age group for suspects is also 15 to 19.

The most common types of knife crime in Walsall include possession of a blade, robbery and serious assault, and together they make up nearly 9 out of 10 knife offences.

In Walsall nearly three quarters of knife crime victims are male, but more than a quarter are female, so safety affects everyone.

Research shows many children who carry knives do so because they feel afraid or have already been hurt. Almost half of children who commit violence have also been victims of violence themselves.

Most homes have several kitchen knives and these everyday items are often the ones used in knife incidents, not specialist or so called zombie knives.

More than 99 percent of knife offences involving children are for possession alone rather than using the knife to threaten or injure. Screening is usually about prevention, not punishment.

Across England hospital admissions for assaults with a sharp object among 10 to 17 year olds are 46 percent higher than in 2013, although they have started to fall since a peak in 2019.

The correct answer is 18. It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under 18, even if they say it is for cooking or work.

Valid reasons can include work, religion or sport, for example a chef, a Sikh kirpan or sports equipment. Self defence is never a valid legal reason.

Possession alone is a serious offence. In one recent year there were over 18,000 knife offences that led to a caution or conviction in England and Wales, most of them for possession.

Evidence shows some approaches work better than others. For example focused deterrence and social skills training programmes can cut violent crime by around a third, and mentoring programmes can reduce violent offending by about a fifth.

Research suggests awareness sessions on their own do not always cut knife crime and can even increase fear. Education works best when it is part of wider support that builds skills, confidence and real opportunities.

Many young people say they carry a knife for status or protection, often linked to trauma, exploitation or social media pressure. Speaking up and getting help can prevent someone being hurt and can connect them to support.

Knife bins allow people to safely dispose of blades with no questions asked. In many towns they have removed thousands of knives from the streets.

Mentoring programmes have been shown to reduce violent offending by around 20 percent, especially when mentors understand local communities and young people’s real lives.

Children and young people often say they need safe spaces, trusted adults and clear information to talk honestly about knife crime and the fears behind it.