Over the past decade, the tragic impact of knife crime has rarely been far from the headlines, political debate or public consciousness. For many, it has felt like the problem has only been getting worse. 

But in the years following the pandemic, the picture was more complex. Some of the key measures of serious violence involving children had been falling — year on year. 

That trend appears to have now stalled — and is starting to reverse. 

New analysis published in the Youth Endowment Fund’s Beyond the Headlines report shows that, for the first time in half a decade, violence affecting children and young people is rising again. Based on the latest full year of available data, knife injuries, youth homicides and violent offences committed by children have all increased — a warning sign that demands serious attention. 

Hospital admissions rise after four years of decline

The latest full year of data shows a 9% increase in children hospitalised with knife injuries in 2023/24 — the first rise in four years. 

A total of 509 children aged 0 to 17 were admitted, up from 467 the year before. Although still below the decade-high of 628 in 2018/19, the number remains 58% higher than a decade ago. 

This rise is one of several indicators tracked by YEF showing that, after a period of decline, violence affecting children and young people is once again on the rise. It marks the latest chapter in a difficult decade — one that saw serious violence escalate in the mid-2010s. And while things improved in the years that followed, too many children are still being harmed or killed. 

Child violent offending rises after five-year fall 

The trend is reflected in the number of proven violent offences committed by children. YEF’s analysis shows that proven violent offences by children rose for the first time in five years. After peaking at 64,911 cautions and convictions in 2006/07, violent offences by 10 to 17-year-olds fell by 76% to 15,542 in 2023/24. However, the latest year saw a 9% year-on-year increase — the first annual rise since 2017/18. 

Teen homicides by knives more than doubled in a decade 

Among 13 to 19-year-olds, homicides have risen 64% since 2013/14. Knife-related killings are driving this surge, more than doubling (up 141%) over the decade, and now account for 83% of homicides in this group, up from 56% in 2013/14. 

Within these figures lies a stark injustice. Black children and young people accounted for 34% of teenage homicide victims last year — despite making up just 5% of the population in this age group. This means they were over six times more likely to lose their lives to violence. 

Pressure mounts on services protecting children 

Beyond the Headlines also reveals mounting pressure on the services meant to protect children. Demand for children’s mental health support has more than doubled since 2016/17 — yet fewer than half of those referred now receive help. 

At the same time, real-terms investment in youth services has dropped by nearly 48% over the past decade, with cuts across almost every English region. 

Child poverty is also on the rise. In 2023/24, 3.85 million children — or 26% of all children in the UK — were living in poverty. That’s a 1.4 percentage point increase on the previous year. And with violence more common in areas of high deprivation, children growing up in poverty are more likely to experience or witness violence firsthand.  

Act on the evidence to prevent violence

While the recent rise in violence is a worrying sign, the YEF believes increases are not inevitable. The charity is working with the government, local services and frontline practitioners to put evidence of what works to keep children safe into action. 

Research from the YEF Toolkit shows that interventions such as mentoring and pre-court diversion programmes are effective at reducing crime. One YEF-funded initiative that incorporates these approaches is the music mentoring programme run by United Borders. Justin Finlayson, CEO, said: 

“We know that programmes like ours – that bring in a trusted mentor to the life of a young person at risk of offending – work to change their mind about carrying a weapon.  In the moment that a young person is caught offending for the first time, police officers have a huge opportunity to help them make a change. If, instead of escalating their case, police officers offer young people another path, they can really build trust with that young person and within the wider community.”  

In May, YEF set out bold proposals to reform and invest in education. Its Education Policy, Children and Violence report calls for schools to be equipped with the training and resources they need to support children at risk.  

Ciaran Thapar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the Youth Endowment Fund, said: “When we look beyond the headlines, examine the data and consider the national picture, we can see a society where too many children are still being harmed by or losing their lives to violence. This last year, as many people working on the frontline would attest, it appears to have gotten even worse. And despite bold commitments from the new government, services remain under immense strain. This recent rise in violence makes it more important than ever to invest in what works to keep children safe.”