Last week, from May 19th to 25th, the UK came together to mark Knife Crime Awareness Week 2025 a vital moment to reflect, learn, and act against one of the most pressing issues facing our communities. Led by the Ben Kinsella Trust, the week raised awareness of the devastating impact of knife violence and championed innovative, preventative solutions.
The statistics for England and Wales speak volumes:
54,587 police-recorded offences (up to December 2024) involving a knife or sharp instrument
57 young people aged under 25 murdered with a knife or sharp object in the 12 months to March 2024, of which 17 were aged under 16
109 kitchen knives used in a homicide, the most frequent murder weapon, accounting for 44% of all knife homicides (year ending March 2024)
1,439 hospital admissions in England and Wales for young people aged under 24, following assault with a sharp object (year ending March 2024)
(Sources: Ben Kinsella Trust, Office For National Statistics)
As part of the week’s events, a powerful parliamentary reception was hosted in Westminster. The event gathered key figures from across government and civil society, from MPs to grassroots campaigners, to share their insights and experiences. Representing TackleLondon at this important forum was our Education Manager, Dr. Amy Atkinson, who carries forward our mission of using sport as a tool for early intervention.
She shared:
“Many of us in the room had personal experience of knife crime, and the associated pain and trauma is clear and far-reaching. But the determined hope and drive for collaboration and activism in the room was truly palpable.” – Dr. Amy Atkinson
Speakers included: Margaret Mullane MP – Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, and advocate for community-led solutions
- Patrick Green – CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, leading the charge in youth education and knife crime prevention
- Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP – Minister of State for Policing and Crime Prevention, shaping national policy on violent crime
- Leanne Lucas – a survivor of the Southport knife attack and founder of the campaign Let’s Be Blunt
Leanne’s story was especially moving. After surviving the attack that tragically claimed the lives of three young girls, she founded Let’s Be Blunt, a campaign urging households to switch from pointed kitchen knives to blunt-ended alternatives as a simple, practical step to reduce the accessibility of deadly weapons in homes.
Let’s Be Blunt is about more than kitchenware. It’s a call for behavioural and cultural change. The campaign’s initiatives include:
- Blunt Knives Adoption – encouraging the widespread use of blunt-tipped knives at home
- Safe Disposal Points – working with authorities to increase accessible disposal bins for unwanted blades
- Parental Awareness – providing education and tools to help parents understand risks and responsibilities
- Social Perception Shifts – changing how the UK views blunt knives, from oddity to normality
As Amy noted:
“We must be ready to engage empathy and compassion to understand the circumstances in which some young people find themselves. This is by no means to excuse acts of violence. It is to explain those acts. Because without an explanation, there can be no informed solution – and no hope.”
At TackleLondon, we use the power of sport to fill the void that makes young people vulnerable. We offer connection, mentorship, and a sense of belonging that builds resilience long before crime can take root. We stand proudly with the Ben Kinsella Trust, with “Let’s Be Blunt”, and with every young person who deserves a life defined by opportunity, not fear.
Prevention is more powerful than punishment, and every young person deserves a chance to thrive. Our programme is built around the principle that early, consistent intervention can change lives. By using the transformative power of rugby and mentorship, we support young people across London who are impacted by adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and the risk of violence.
Amy continued:
“While legislation is of course crucial, we cannot arrest and sentence our way out of this societal disease. The more spaces and support there are for organisations which will encourage early intervention to fill any voids in a young person’s life with opportunities to make choices that are healthy for them, for their families and for the communities in which we live together.”
Through partnerships with schools, community organisations, and local clubs, TackleLondon delivers weekly rugby-based sessions that go far beyond the game. We offer a structured, supportive environment where young people can build confidence, develop resilience, and find positive role models. These sessions promote emotional wellbeing, teamwork, leadership, and goal-setting skills that empower young people to navigate the complex challenges they face.
Our coaches and mentors work closely with pupils who are at risk of exclusion, disengagement, or involvement in criminal activity. We don’t just teach rugby – we listen, we guide, and we show up consistently. By providing a safe space and access to trusted adults outside of school or home, TackleLondon helps young people feel seen, valued, and heard. In doing so, we reduce isolation and the sense of helplessness that can make individuals more vulnerable to negative influences.
Whether we’re running a training session, hosting a school tournament, or offering one-to-one mentoring, our focus is always on connection. The TackleLondon approach is rooted in empathy, empowerment, and evidence-based practice. We’re proud to be part of the solution, and proud to stand with all those working to end knife crime and build stronger, safer communities in the capital and beyond.
Whether it’s swapping a knife in your kitchen or coaching a child on the pitch, together we can tackle the causes of violence and build a future that’s safer, stronger, and united.
Knife crime is not inevitable. But change must be collective, and it starts with all of us.
