South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is today launching a campaign to run throughout February that aims to reduce the number of knife crimes in Hampshire and the Thames Valley, highlight the impact these have on victims, their families and local communities, and raise awareness of what emergency first aid members of the public should provide to victims of knife crime whilst emergency services are on their way.
Knife crime is a common topic on daily news reports due to its prevalence in society. According to data supplied by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)1, there were over 50,000 reported knife crimes between September 2023 and September 2024. Additionally, the Home Office reported over 2,500 deaths as a result of knife crime throughout 2023. Knife crimes have increased by 80% over the last 10 years, and knife related homicides have increased by 23% in the same period. While knife crime affects people of all ages, there is a significant proportion of younger people involved and the Home Office has argued that there is a risk of knife crime becoming normalised with more and more young people carrying knives, often in the misguided belief that this gives them more protection.
As an ambulance service, SCAS attends multiple serious stabbing incidents every month, and these usually become our highest category of priority call. Solely within the area covered by SCAS, the ONS reported over 2,160 stabbings between September 2023-September 2024. The highest levels of incidence within our area are in Oxfordshire and south east Hampshire, but there have been serious incidents reported across the whole region.
Mark Ainsworth-Smith MBE is a Consultant Pre-Hospital Care Practitioner for SCAS and said “Tragically we see a significant number of deaths caused by knife crime and violence in our ambulance service every year. Every one of those deaths is a tragedy for families and friends, and they cause terrible trauma to all those involved, including the police, ambulance service and other emergency responders who have to deal with the consequences.”
However, despite the shocking statistics, there are many positive campaigns and improving figures to show that interventions are effective. A study2 across Hampshire and the IOW shows that knife crime offences have fallen across this area by 19% since 2022. Charities and councils are working hard with police to help educate adults and young people on the risks and facts surrounding knife crime.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust highlights the need for raising awareness of knife crime, saying “Education is our most powerful tool in the fight against knife crime; that is why awareness raising campaigns are so important. We need to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate potentially dangerous situations and understand the devastating consequences of knife crime.”
“Raising awareness isn’t just about statistics; it’s about changing attitudes and behaviours. The Ben Kinsella Trust and Stay True to You are working across Thames Valley to deliver impactful training for parents and professionals that resonate with young people. By talking directly to young people, we can address their fears, dispel misinformation, and empower them to make positive choices.”
This month, SCAS is joining in the conversation and has a number of key events planned later in February. Firstly, we will be releasing a short film of a meeting between Amanda Stephens, the mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed in Reading, and Kirsten Willis-Drewett, our director of operations who was the SCAS operational commander on scene that day. This was the first time Amanda and Kirsten had met since the incident.
We are also working closely with Slough Council, Thames Valley Police, Slough Youth Council and Together as One to host an event in Langley to teach young people first aid around stabbing incidents and help familiarise them with the emergency bleed kits which are available locally, what’s in them and how to use them. During the month we will also hear the personal story of a victim of knife crime in Oxfordshire which occurred decades ago, but still has an effect on his life today.
Finally, we will also be releasing a video providing emergency first aid advice for the public to help them know what to do in the event of a stabbing before the ambulance arrives.
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Notes to editors:
1Data quoted from the Office for National Statistics is available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/policeforceareadatatables
2Data on fall in knife crime in Hampshire since 2022 is available here: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/reports/knife-crime-england-2024