Will the knife amnesty help with knife crime in your area?

63418

Total votes

13842

5-11 votes

48445

11-16+ votes

Recent headlines about knife crime have been frightening for teachers and young people alike. That's why this VoteTopic explored some of the statistics around knife crime in the UK, as well as the impact that the zombie knife and machete amnesty has had so far. They also considered their rights to safety, protection from violence, and fair treatment in the youth justice system as part of our assembly on the UNCRC.

Primary 5-9 pupils discussed, “Do you know how to be safe on your streets?”, Primary 9-11 explored, “Should there be stricter rules on knife crime?”, Secondary 11-16 students debated, “Will the zombie knife and machete amnesty help with knife crime in your area?” and College & 16+ students considered, “Will amnesties end knife crime?”

63,418 young people took part in this vote.

Age 5-11 voter

I think there should be stricter rules because it's really bad for everyone involved, even the person who might have committed the crime.

Age 11-16 voter

Just because you've banned something doesn't mean people will stop getting them and using them. Drugs are illegal and people still use them. If anything banning them will make them more of a status symbol.

Age 16+ voter

We think that by itself, amnesties won't be the solution. It needs to be supported by other methods such as youth engagement (youth clubs), tightening up sales online, more prosecutions and better youth education.

Feedback from our Impact Partners...

Thank you to Patrick Green at Ben Kinsella Trust, Ellie Taylor at Youth Endowment Fund and Commander Stephen Clayman at the Metropolitan Police for responding to young people's voices on this VoteTopic!

88% of 9-11-year olds said they wanted stricter rules on knife crime.

Our youngest voters, aged between 5-9 were discussing the question, “Do you know how to be safe on your streets?” 87% voted 'Yes'.
Voters aged 9-11 discussed, “Should there be stricter rules on knife crime?” 88% said 'Yes'.

70% of Secondary students said 'No' to the question, "Will the zombie knife and machete amnesty help with knife crime in your area?"

70% of Secondary students didn't think the amnesty would help with knife crime in their area.
Many said this was because of the accesibility of other weapons, such as kitchen knives.
Others argued an amnesty would only be successful alongside other efforts, such as increased restrictions over online knife sales.

80% of College and older students argued that amnesties won't end knife crime.

16+ and College students were discussing the question, "Will amnesties end knife crime?" 80% voted 'No'.
Whilst many voters said amnesties could help to reduce knife crime, most thought that they wouldn't achieve enough on their own.

Will the zombie knife and machete amnesty help with knife crime in your area?