Knife Crime in England and Wales: A Deepening Danger We Can’t Ignore

Knife crime in Britain is getting worse. More people, especially young people, are being hurt or killed in knife attacks. In 2023, police recorded over 49,000 knife-related offences in England and Wales alone. That number is still rising in 2025. Most of these crimes happen in big cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Many experts say there are different reasons for this increase—poverty, gang activity, lack of youth support, and fear. Some young people carry knives because they feel unsafe. Others do it to show power or to protect themselves. But carrying a knife often leads to more violence, not safety.

The government and police have started new plans to stop knife crime. These include more searches, school programs, and community projects. But the danger is still growing, and more needs to be done before more lives are lost ^[1].

Knife Crime Data by Regions in UK and Wales

Where Knife Crime Hits Hardest in the UK: Regional Breakdown

Knife crime is not the same in every part of the UK. Some areas are much more affected than others. New data shows that London has the highest number of serious knife-related offences, with 16,847 cases. This is more than double the number in any other region.

After London, the North West (including cities like Manchester and Liverpool) recorded 6,536 serious knife crimes, and the West Midlands (which includes Birmingham) had 6,409 cases. These regions are also known for higher urban populations and more youth-related violence.

Other areas like the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the South East had moderate levels. Meanwhile, Wales and the North East reported the fewest cases—1,573 and 2,348, showing lower knife crime levels in those regions.

This shows that knife crime is a growing national issue, but some areas are being hit much harder than others ^[2].

Knife Crime Data by counties in England Wales

Knife Crime Across England and Wales by Counties: Where It’s Rising and Where It’s Low

Knife crime continues to be a serious problem across England and Wales. According to the latest data, West Midlands has the highest number of knife offences at 4,664, followed by Greater Manchester with 3,452, and West Yorkshire with 2,319. These are large urban areas, where violence is often more common.

Some smaller or rural areas show much lower numbers. For example, City of London had just 58 knife crimes, and Dyfed-Powys and Cumbria reported only 170 each. This shows that knife crime is mostly an urban issue.

An interesting fact is that South Yorkshire (1,481) and Avon and Somerset (1,573) are also high, showing rising risks outside the usual hotspots.

If this trend continues, police and local communities may need more support in counties where knife crime is growing. Without stronger prevention, more rural and mid-sized areas could see increases in the future ^[3].