Knife crime committed amongst children and adults from January 2019 to October 2023

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034333

I note you seek access to the following information:

I would like to know what data the Met holds on children that have been caught with a knife and or been attacked with a knife.

I am looking for records that collates information specifically pertaining to 6 to 13 year olds and breaks it down by age (ie individual stats for 6 year olds, 7 years olds, etc) on the following:

1. The number of children within that age bracket who have been found with a knife by the police
2. The number of children within that age bracket that have been a victim of knife related crimes committed by other adults
3. The number of children within that age bracket who have been a victim of knife related crimes by other children
4. The number of children within the ages of 10 to 13 that have been arrested or charged for carrying a knife.

Clarification:
“The time scales are from January 2019 to October 2023.”

Clarification:
I wrote to you by email and stated:

The analyst tasked with completing your request is currently extracting the information requested. They has asked the following question:

Does your request relate to:

1. Stop and search generated information.
2. Incidents where children have been identified in possession of a knife.

Data arising from points 1 and 2 above”.

Clarification:
You responded to my email and stated:

Thanks for sending this across.

My requests relates to data arising from both stop and search generated information and incidents where children have been identified in possession of a knife.

Please could the data set clearly show which of this data is which so we can make the distinction in our reporting?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Please find below a spreadsheet in which the located information has been provided.

CAVEATS
The notes page of the enclosed spreadsheet should be read in conjunction with the data provided to ensure that it is interpreted correctly.

There is no legal obligation for an individual to provide their name or age when the subject of a stop and search by police. The ages of those provided may not therefore, accurately reflect those of all parties subject of stop and search over the requested period.

DUTY TO ADVISE AND ASSIST
Under Section 16 of the Act, there is a duty to advise and assist those that have made, or intend to make, a request for information. In accordance with this duty, I can confirm that the MPS publishes information about various types of crime on its website. I have provided a link to this information below.

MPS Website: Stats and Data

It may also assist you to note that the MPS proactively publishes all disclosures made in response to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on its Publication Scheme. I have provided a link to this section of the MPS website below.

MPS Website: Publication Scheme

The MPS Publication Scheme can be searched using keywords and may accordingly hold other information that is of interest to you.

The MPS has also published a comprehensive guide to stopping knife crime. I have provided a link to this information below.

MPS Website: Stop Knife Crime