Knife Crime

5 substantial body of evidence demonstrating that these groups are already overrepresented at every stage of the youth justice system, often due to systemic biases in policing and sentencing (Hughes et al., 2020; Lammy, 2017). For example, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) might be less likely to receive diversion, particularly where communication difficulties are misconstrued as behavioural issues (Centre for Justice Innovation, 2023). Unequal access to diversion may create further disparity at later stages of the youth justice system. Without specific safeguards against this, the measures proposed in this Bill, particularly increased powers to enter private property, might be disproportionately used against these groups. Effective and fair legislation must be sensitive to the realities of structural inequality. Failing to incorporate these considerations not only risks causing harm but also undermines the goal of reducing serious violence in the long term. Some steps that could be taken towards this include the monitoring of disaggregated implementation data by age, ethnicity, and SEND or disability status. These measures should also be accompanied by training for frontline officers on neurodisability, and anti-racist practices. Additionally, the establishment of community advisory panels could help to review the impact of policing practices and ensure accountability. Working in genuine partnership with local communities can foster trust within the local area, ensure relevance, and help to shift the focus from enforcement to prevention. Embedding Social Support Following Knife Possession An effective response to the discovery of a knife, particularly when involving a child or young adult, should trigger not only a policing response but an assessment of welfare needs. This might include referral to mental health services, mentoring schemes, or family support where appropriate. The discovery of a knife should be treated as indication that intervention is needed, rather than solely law enforcement. Without integrated social support, opportunities for meaningful change are lost. Children are often excluded from school following police intervention for knife possession, which can reinforce trajectories into the criminal justice system, rather than diverting them (Hemez et al., 2020; Mowen & Brent, 2016). Legal and Human Rights Considerations The proposed measures in the Crime and Policing Bill also raise significant concerns regarding proportionality and compatibility with fundamental human rights principles, particularly as they relate to children and young people. Proportionality Under Human Rights Law requires that any restriction on individual liberty be necessary, suitable, and proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued. The expanded police powers to seize knives from private property, even with the requirement for "reasonable grounds," represent a substantial intrusion into privacy rights protected under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The threshold of "reasonable grounds to suspect" is