Assess The Causes Of Knife Crime

Words: 978
Pages: 4

Knife crime remains a significant social problem, particularly in the UK, where media attention has been drawn from across the world due to its catastrophic effects on both individuals and communities. This essay looks into the causes of knife crime via the prisms of two well-known criminological theories: labelling theory and social learning theory. The essay will open with a synopsis of knife crime in the UK, emphasising its significance with data and contextual details. Next, using the "stop and search" policy as an example of labelling theory and gang influence as an example of social learning theory, we will examine how these two theories explain the causes of knife crime. Knife crime, a term used to represent a number of criminal acts involving the use of knives or other sharp objects, such as robberies, killings, and assaults, is an example of violent assault. In the UK, knife crime has grown to be a serious issue, particularly …show more content…
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