Ofsted’s knife crime research: summary

Last reviewed on 21 March 2019
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 34826

Read our summary of Ofsted’s research into safeguarding children from knife crime, and what schools can do about it.

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Contents

  1. Context
  2. What are schools doing at the moment?
  3. The recommendations
  4. What can governors do?

Context

Knife crime is an increasing risk to children, both at school and in their communities. In the 12 months up to September 2018, compared with the 12 months up to September 2014, knife crime had increased by:

  • 68.4% across England and Wales (excluding the Greater Manchester Police area)
  • 55.5% across the Metropolitan Police Service area of London

The number of sharp instruments found on school property has also increased. 363 were found in 2017–18, compared to 269 in 2013–14. This is shown in data from 21 police forces in England and Wales.

The Home Office launched a consultation on 1 April 2019 on whether to introduce a new legal duty on schools (among other organisations) to help tackle serious violence such as knife crime.

What are schools doing at the moment?

To keep children safe on the school premises and in the community?

To detect knives, schools have anonymous reporting

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