Steering young people away from knife crime
Shows like the hit Netflix series Adolescence have put the spotlight on the issue of knife crime in 2025.
Alongside our partners at Essex Police, we understand how children and young people interact with the police, and how any experience with the criminal justice system, will shape them and have far-reaching implications – not just in terms of whether they go on to reoffend.
During Sceptre – the national week-long focus on knife crime – Essex Police and the Violence and Vulnerability Unit visited schools and worked with partners such as the Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the Joint Education Team, to educate young people around the consequences of carrying a knife.
With the majority of knife-enabled crime in Essex in the 17 to 25 age group, both from a perpetrator and victim standpoint, it is even more important to educate young people on knife harm and bust some of the myths around gangs, violence and exploitation.
ReRoute
Our ReRoute practitioners conducted home visits with 20 young people suspected to have been involved in knife or drug-related crime. The ReRoute programme sees skilled practitioners build trust and a relationship with young people suspected of violence or drug offences. This follows referrals from Essex Police officers after an arrest.
We know early intervention with young people is absolutely key to steering them away from a negative path in their lives. The time between a young person’s arrest and their appearance at a crown court can be lengthy, in some extreme cases up to two years. In that time, ReRoute practitioners will look to tackle the issues around that young person which might have led them to becoming involved in crime.
This will often include help and support for housing, finances, education and employment based on the young person’s identified needs and risks. The programme is having some real success.
Positive changes
A 19-year-old, from north Essex, recently arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs is progressing well under the ReRoute scheme. This young man has no family support and had recently left the care system. During his time under ReRoute, he has shared his past experiences of exploitation at the hands of county lines gangs since the age of 13. He has now undergone training to allow him to work in the construction industry.
The ReRoute programme has enabled this young man to overcome financial, educational and employment barriers, by helping him to make better decisions and understand the harm caused through his offending behaviour – he is now contributing to society and not causing harm to himself or others. He shows a real desire to change and has increased self-belief that he can have a future which does not involve offending behaviour, and he is taking the practical steps to make this a reality with the support of ReRoute practitioners.
Investing in early intervention
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, speaking at the end of Sceptre said: “Knife crime devastates lives, families, and communities. During Sceptre, we have reinforced our commitment to tackling this issue.
“Young people across Essex have told us that fear of knife violence is real and impacts their daily lives. That’s why we’re investing in early intervention, education, and community-led initiatives through our Violence and Vulnerability Unit.
“These long-term preventative efforts deliver benefits 3.5 times greater than their cost by steering people away from crime and has delivered a 5% decrease in knife-enabled crime in Essex since April 2024.
“We must keep having the tough conversations, support those at risk, and work together to make our streets safer. Prevention is key—every life deterred from violence is a life potentially saved.”
