Knife crime and gangs

Knife crime

Knife crime is any crime which involves a knife whether it is used or not, some examples include:

• carrying a knife
• threatening someone with a knife
• intending to hurt someone with a knife
• using a knife to injure or kill someone
• thieves carrying knives during a robbery or burglary
• the involvement of a knife or knives in gang-related offences
• someone under 18 trying to buy a knife

If you are worried about someone you know carrying a knife, want to talk to someone about knife crime or ask advice please call 101. Always call 999 in an emergency such as when a crime is in progress and/or someone is in immediate danger. Find more information and support on the Northamptonshire Police website.

Gangs - spot the signs and save lives

You might have noticed someone you know behaving differently recently. Most people don’t commit crimes or get involved in gangs but it’s important to be aware of the signs that someone you know might be. These can include:

• not hanging around with their usual friends
• coming home late or staying out more than usual
• being secretive and withdrawn
• hanging around with different people
• having unexplained injuries
• taking drugs
• carrying weapons
• skipping school
• talking differently - for example using new slang words
• suddenly having a lot of money and expensive things like designer clothes, phones and watches 

or call 101 and ask for your local Neighbourhood Policing Team. 

Child Criminal Exploitation

Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited, they're given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused.

Would you recognise the signs?

Support

There are lots of services you can contact if you are worried someone you know is involved in gangs or knife crime, or if they are being exploited or at risk of exploitation. These include:

• Police: call 999 or 101
• MASH: call 0300 126 7000
• Crimestoppers: 0800 555111
• Childline: 0800 1111
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• RISE
• The Ben Kinsella Trust
• Young people - NKBL
• Children's Society
• Fearless: Give information about crime 100% anonymously
• Free2Talk: Youth and Community Organisation
• GYM: Guiding Young Minds - Helping young people to transform their lives
• Service 6: Supports children and young people to live healthier and happier lives!
• Voice: Voice Northants: Voice for Victims and Witnesses
• Off The Streets: Off the Streets NN CIC
• Bleed control kit and amnesty bin locations
• SafeCall info for county lines exploitation support – call or text 116 000 for free 9am – 11pm 7 days a week
• CIRV: Tackling violence and preventing the carrying of weapons CIRV is here to help those who have found themselves in a position they want to get out of but feel they can’t. CIRV can offer lots of support and practical help to assist people to move away from crime and start leading happier and safer lives. It is never too late to change. There is always someone who can help even if you think there isn’t. You just have to ask!
  • CIRV helpline: 07539 183975 (Monday to Friday)
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Twitter: @CIRVNorthants 

Videos

•    Stephen Mold PFCC: Stephen Mold - Knife Crime Week of Action on Vimeo
•    Oliver Charter CIRV: Oliver Charter - CIRV on Vimeo
•    F2T mentoring: Free2Talk - Mentoring on Vimeo
•    Lee Brentnall: Knife Angel - Lee Brentnall on Vimeo
•    Anton Noble: Knife Angel - Anton Noble on Vimeo
 

Last updated 20 December 2023