Talking with young people or young adults about knives and weapons can be difficult, whether you are a parent, professional or a friend.

Posted on: March 29, 2023

People may not want to talk about the subject as they might be worried that they will get into trouble, they are embarrassed, scared, or feel that carrying a knife makes them feel safer.

This page and downloadable resources are to help you prepare for a conversation with someone about whether they are carrying a knife, why they are doing this and what you can do if they are.

It’s important to remember that very few young people carry a knife, but it is always important to have conversations with young people on serious issues, to reassure them they are safe, that there are trusted adults they can talk to and where they can go for help.

You can watch our films below or keep reading to get to our downloadable resources:

If you are worried about knife harm and knife crime, either for your child, yourself of someone you know then we hope the following information and advice will help.

Knife crime is any crime involving a knife or a sharp or bladed object. This includes carrying a knife, owning a banned knife, threatening someone with a knife, trying to buy a knife if you are under 18, injuring or fatally wounding someone with a knife or intending to injure or harm someone with a knife.

The leaflets below will help you understand the signs and consequences. We need to educate our children that in reality very few people carry a knife and carrying a knife will not offer protection. In fact, it is more likely that doing so will lead to them being hurt or them hurting someone else.”