Working as a West Midlands paramedic on the frontline of our emergency services is both a privilege and a challenge. Every shift brings the unknown. One call may be a life-threatening medical emergency; the next, a traumatic accident or violent assault. Among the most daunting scenarios my colleagues and I face are incidents where weapons, particularly knives, are reported.
Knife crime in the UK has been the subject of intense public debate. Recent statistics suggest that overall incidents are beginning to decline – that is welcome news. Any reduction in violence means fewer victims, fewer grief-stricken families, and less trauma reverberating through our communities. However, despite these positive trends, knife crime remains at what can only be described as epidemic levels. It continues to devastate lives and pose a serious, ongoing threat to young people, communities, and frontline workers like me, as well as our police officer colleagues.
As a paramedic, I am acutely aware of the risks involved in these incidents. The concern extends beyond the injured patient we are rushing to treat; it also includes the safety of my crewmate and myself. After carrying out a dynamic risk assessment, we often arrive at scenes with police, sometimes stepping directly into environments where a weapon may still be present or where tensions are dangerously high. That uncertainty – the unknown if the threat has truly passed – stays with you long after your shift ends.
This is why the work I do outside of my ambulance duties, with the James Brindley Foundation, is so crucial to me. Our charity was founded in memory of James, whose life was tragically taken in 2017 by a senseless, unprovoked, and random knife attack. Through education, engagement, and prevention, we aim to break the cycle of violence and help young people see the value of making positive choices. We deliver programmes that not only address the dangers of knives but also explore the wider influences of peer pressure, gang culture, and violent behaviour. The message is clear: carrying a knife does not protect you – it only increases the risks, for yourself and others.
For me, these two worlds, my role as a paramedic and my work with the Foundation, are deeply interconnected. On the ambulance, I witness the raw reality of knife crime: the blood, the panic, and the irreversible consequences of a single violent act. Through the Foundation, I see hope – young people listening, engaging, and realising that there are better paths to follow.
While knife crime statistics may have dipped slightly, behind every number is a person, a family, a community. We cannot afford to become complacent. Combating this epidemic requires a collective effort from government, schools, families, and organisations like ours. Most importantly, it involves ongoing dialogue with young people – empowering them to reject violence and equipping them with the tools to make safer, healthier choices.
As a paramedic, my role is to treat and save lives. As a member of the James Brindley Foundation, my role is to educate and prevent. Both are vital. Both save lives.
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Knife Crime: Key Statistics and Sources
- Police-recorded knife-enabled offences in England and Wales decreased by 1% to 53,047 offences in the year ending March 2025 (ONS, 2025).
- Knife crime levels remain around 81% higher than a decade ago (Ben Kinsella Trust, 2025).
- For year ending December 2024, knife/sharp instrument offences rose by 2% to 54,587 offences (ONS, 2024).
- In London, knife crime rose by nearly 60% over three years, concentrated in some boroughs (The Times, 2024).
- Over 54,000 knife-related offences recorded in England and Wales last year, part of an 87% increase in a decade (Reuters, 2025).
- Hospital admissions for assault by sharp object: 3,508 admissions in England & Wales, year to March 2025 (Ben Kinsella Trust, 2025).
- Children and knife crime: just over 3,200 offences committed by under-18s in year ending March 2024, a 6% drop from previous year but 20% higher than a decade ago (UK Government / Youth Justice Board, 2024).
References:
- Office for National Statistics (2024, 2025) – Crime in England and Wales
- Ben Kinsella Trust – Knife Crime Statistics (2025)
- UK Government / Youth Justice Board – Knife Crime Insights Pack (2024)
- The Times (2024) – reporting on London knife crime trends
- Reuters (2025) – UK knife crime overview
