Rise in knife crime offences involving women

A freedom of information request by the BBC has shown a significant rise in knife offences involving women across England over the last five years.

In 2018 there were 1,509 recorded offences - a 73% increase since 2014.

Knife crime involving both men and women is on the rise nationally. Last year the number of fatal stabbings were at the highest since records began.

One quarter of the offences recorded involved girls under the age of 18 - the youngest being 7 years old.

It is thought that women are asked to carry weapons on behalf of gangs as they are less likely to be stopped by police.

The Home Office has announced they are investing £220m in projects aimed at steering away men and women from gangs. This includes schemes that help women and girls move on with their lives after they have left a gang.

For more information, see here.