Cutting Deep: Why Knife Crime is a Public Health Emergency in the UK

Capatana, Crina 2025. Cutting Deep: Why Knife Crime is a Public Health Emergency in the UK. The British Student Doctor Journal 8 (1) 10.18573/bsdj.382

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Abstract

Summary: Knife crime is the leading cause of teenage homicides, reaching the UK’s highest figures in history. Stemming from deeply ingrained social determinants—including poverty, school exclusion, adverse childhood events, and geographical disparities—this crisis highlights the limitations of a law enforcement-first approach. This article explores the UK’s knife crime epidemic, its impact on our healthcare system, and the transformative potential of addressing the issue through a public health lens, focusing on its social dimensions and preventative strategies. Relevance: Young adults at risk of or already involved in knife crime often come into contact with the healthcare system; be it through external agencies (e.g., schools, youth justice services, or the social care sector) flagging up adverse behaviours, their need for support, or presenting with physical injuries. As medical students and practising physicians, it is crucial to understand the risk factors contributing to an individual’s involvement in knife crime, and to be familiar with the aid systems (e.g., charities or youth crime prevention programmes) available in your community. By doing so, you not only enhance your professional ability to support your patients but foster a more compassionate approach through a deeper understanding of their social context. Take home message: Current evidence indicates that both family and school based strategies are most effective at deterring individuals from engaging in knife crime, despite the limited data on the true efficacy of combining these interventions. Predictive studies are also scarce regarding the social benefits of broader family and support systems for victims, as well as the cost-effectiveness when considering early prevention initiatives—both of which would provide valuable insights for shaping future policies and programs. What remains clear is clinicians can have a crucial role in flagging early at-risk behaviours, and deterring crime to protect our future generations.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Publisher:	Cardiff University Press
ISSN:	2514-3174
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 June 2025
Date of Acceptance:	31 January 2025
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2025 14:16
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/179010

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