In a significant move to combat youth violence, the government has announced a £1.2 million initiative to provide specialist training to up to 250 schools located in knife crime hotspots across England and Wales. The program, designed to divert children from serious violence, will include mentoring for high-risk students and the deployment of chaperones on school routes.
This announcement coincides with the government's broader ambition to halve knife crime within the next decade. While recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows a 9% year-on-year decline in knife offences as of 2025, the issue remains a persistent concern, particularly in urban areas where incidents are more frequent.
The initiative, known as the Safety In and Around Schools Partnership, will be managed by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) in collaboration with the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Home Office. The program will train school leaders on knife crime risks and help develop localized safety strategies. Approximately 50 of the participating schools will receive more intensive, tailored support.
Jon Yates, CEO of YEF and a member of the government's Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, emphasized the program's focus: "We know what works to prevent knife crime—a trusted adult, someone to talk to, social and emotional support, and opportunities like sport. This program aims to bring that support to more of our school children, giving them the chance to live a life free from violence."
Justice Secretary David Lammy stated that the funding is intended to protect children and build "the safer streets every community deserves."
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from opposition parties. The Conservatives accused the government of hypocrisy, citing previous police cuts, while the Liberal Democrats argued that the measures alone are insufficient without a return to robust community policing. Reform UK described the situation as "tragic," suggesting that children are being left to protect themselves.
In a related development, the government has also shared advanced mapping technology with 27 police forces to identify knife crime hotspots with high precision. These areas, which account for 90% of such crimes in England and Wales, will see increased police patrols and new CCTV installations. An additional £26 million has been allocated to the Knife Crime Concentrations Fund to support these efforts.
The school training program will roll out in phases, beginning with initial engagement this academic year, followed by more intensive support in the next.