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By Simran Gill, Giovana Almeida, Tali Stutt, and Luke Mantle
You want to stop the stabbings? Here’s how to do it, according to Islington residents: implement more youth clubs and better mentoring, and have honest conversations in schools about the real consequences of knife crime.
These suggestions came after two 17-year-old boys were stabbed in Islington on October 15th, shocking the community and reminding everyone how serious the issue of youth knife crime is. Many local residents believe the influence of drugs and gangs is the leading cause of knife crime within younger people. Others pointed to a lack of support, role models, and opportunities, especially in areas of poverty.
“If young people had more places to go and people to talk to, maybe things wouldn’t get this bad,” said Mirza Naeem, manager of an Islington bicycle shop.
“Young people listen most to people who’ve been through it themselves, like those who’ve experienced the dangers of knife crime and found a way to turn their lives around.”
Knife crime continues to be a huge issue across London. In 2024, there were around 16,789 knife-related offences in London – making up nearly a third of all knife crimes in England and Wales, according to Statista. Even though the number of cases involving under-25s has dropped slightly, young men are still the most affected.
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One organisation working hard to make a difference is Catch22, a charity that helps young people affected by crime, violence, or difficult life situations. They focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and giving young people a chance to build something better for themselves.
Sayed Hather, 27, an office coordinator at Catch22, believes that the community needs to play a bigger role to stop the stabbings.
“People should report dodgy finds, and there should be more knife bins around,” he said. Knife bins are secure containers where people can anonymously drop off knives and other weapons, effectively removing them from society.
They are also referred to as “weapon surrender” or “amnesty bins”, and are scattered around London. They are part of a bigger effort to get rid of weapons in the capital, and allow people – mainly youths – to safely get rid of weapons without worrying about whether they will be prosecuted.
“The main causes are poverty and the rise in gangs — that’s what’s pushing young people into crime,” added Hather. Catch22 helps by offering education, job support, and mentoring, showing that with the right help, young people can turn things around.
At Slick Willies, a skate shop, staff see the effects of knife crime firsthand. Ila Dimaid, 25, a sales assistant, said: “ I would hope that knife crime can decrease in numbers . I think knife crime’s become common because there’s no easy access to guns, so knives are what people turn to.”
The Islington attack is a painful reminder of how serious this issue is, but also a call to action. Listening to young people, supporting charities like Catch22, and giving teens real opportunities could help create the safer London everyone wants to see.
Photo by Pixabay
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