According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there was a 5% increase in knife-related crimes reported by law enforcement in September 2023 (48716 offences) as compared to September 2022 (46367 offences). i.e. ONS, 2023. The percentage of those who knew someone who carried a knife in 2018 was 6.5% among those aged 10 to 15 and 16 to 29. Statistics on Knife Crime in England and Wales.
The labelling theory holds that an individual's behaviour and sense of self can be shaped by the way society perceives them and the things they do. Applying the "Stop and Search" policy by the police illustrates the Labelling Theory in connection to knife crime. This policy gives police the right to stop, question, and search anyone they believe to be a criminal or in possession of a weapon. In order to look