Knife crime has dropped dramatically since No Knives Better Lives was introduced 10 years ago
A campaign which aims to highlight the dangers of knife crime is marking a landmark anniversary.
A report charting the success of the No Knives Better Lives initiative in Scotland was launched this week, 10 years after the campaign began.
No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) is a national programme designed to deter young people from using and carrying a knife. It is a youth work focused initiative supported by Scottish Government delivered by YouthLink Scotland in collaboration with local partners.
In 2009, the creation of No Knives, Better Lives was a response to the very high incidence of knife crime in Scotland and the corresponding high numbers of young people charged with handling an offensive weapon. This position has changed dramatically over the last decade, with knife crime having dropped substantially.
The focus of the campaign is on prevention, helping and supporting young people to change or challenge behaviours.
Scotland has adopted a public health approach to tackling violence as advocated by the World Health Organisation – treating violence as an infection that can be cured. This includes prevention activity and early intervention, coupled with appropriate law enforcement as necessary. No Knives Better Lives is part of that approach adopted in 2009.
Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said: “YouthLink Scotland and local partners have delivered substantial, sometimes life-changing prevention activity over the last decade, and more recently delivered the NKBL’s Balisong play in every local authority, reaching 20,000 young people across Scotland.
“We have seen a significant, 85% reduction in the number of young people under 18 convicted of handling an offensive weapon, from 456 in 2008-09 to 68 in 2017-18 – alongside the wider fall in violent crime. While there is much more to do to ensure every young person, no matter where they are from, lives free from the harm caused by knife crime, I am very grateful to YouthLink Scotland, their partners and the many young people involved in helping make Scotland a safer, better country to grow up in.”
Tim Frew, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, said: “We have seen a significant reduction in the recorded incidence of violent crime and possession of offensive weapons in Scotland, particularly amongst young people. While this is good news, it is important not to see our work as complete regarding the issues of knife carrying, conflict and violence. The cyclical nature of the problem, coupled with the small increase in knife crime prevalence in 2018 means that it is important we do not rest on our laurels.
“A worrying resurgence of knife crime in other parts of the UK, particularly London, indicates that we need to keep working hard to keep our young people safe from the harmful practice of knife carrying. Prevention work must continue. Crucial partnerships between the youth work sector, schools, Police Scotland and other agencies that contribute to local NKBL initiatives need to be sustained and supported to deliver a safer Scotland for our young people.”
