Government Unveils £1.2m Initiative to Tackle Knife Crime in Schools

New Strategy Targets School Safety

The government is committing £1.2 million to provide specialist training to as many as 250 schools situated in areas identified as knife crime hotspots. This funding will support initiatives designed to steer children away from serious violence, potentially including mentoring programmes for high-risk pupils and the provision of chaperones for school routes. This announcement aligns with the government's ambition to halve knife crime within the next ten years.

The Safety In and Around Schools Partnership, spearheaded by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) and supported by the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice, and Home Office, will deliver this training. School leaders will receive guidance on mitigating knife crime risks and developing localised strategies to enhance pupil safety. Approximately 50 of the selected schools will benefit from more intensive and bespoke support, with a core focus on understanding children's experiences and perceptions of safety within school environments.

Broader Efforts to Combat Knife Crime

In a related development, the government recently shared advanced mapping technology with 27 police forces, enabling precise identification of knife crime hotspots down to 10 square metres. These targeted areas, which account for 90% of knife crime in England and Wales, are expected to experience a substantial increase in police activity, including heightened patrols and new CCTV installations. This effort is bolstered by a £26 million investment from the Knife Crime Concentrations Fund.

Political Reactions and Criticisms

Despite a 9% reduction in knife crime offences in 2025 compared to the previous year, opposition parties have voiced concerns regarding the efficacy and sufficiency of the government's proposals. The Conservatives accused the government of