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What is gun crime

WHAT EXACTLY IS GUN AND KNIFE CRIME?

Gun and knife crime includes stabbing or shooting someone. But it's also illegal to:

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  • Carry a knife

  • Threaten someone with a knife or gun

  • Commit a crime with the use of a weapon - like a robbery

  • Commit a crime by pretending you have a real knife or gun.

What you need to know:

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  • If you carry a knife or weapon, you're more likely to be targeted by people who want to hurt you

  • If you feel you're in danger, you should tell a trusted adult or call Childline for help

  • It’s never too late to ask for help if you’re worried about gun and knife crime.

WHY DO PEOPLE CARRY GUNS AND KNIVES?

Guns and knives can cause serious injury or even death. People who carry guns or knives may not ever plan to use them or hurt anyone. But they may find themselves in a situation that gets out of control.

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Someone might want to carry one because they:

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  • Are scared and worried about their safety or the safety of friends

  • Want to show off and scare people

  • Want respect from other people

I'm involved in gun and knife crime! 

It's never too late to get help if you're worried about gun and knife crime, or are involved with it already. You could talk to your teacher, another adult you trust or Childline. Your local youth club or community centre may run projects that are geared towards stopping gun crime, and you could get involved with these.

You can call Childline on 0800 1111 at any time if you're worried about your own safety. Or if you think someone you know is carrying or even using a gun or knife.

Carrying knives

HOW CAN I AVOID GUN AND KNIFE CRIME?

 

Carrying a knife is dangerous for you and other people.

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It has been proven that if you carry a knife or weapon you are more likely to be targeted by people who want to hurt you, and more likely to be injured or even die because of this.

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You shouldn't ever have to feel scared.

If you feel like you're in danger or are worried, you can call the police on 999 and they should help you.

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Highest UK Knife Crimes Per 10,000 People

NORTH-EAST: 11.2               (Middlesbrough being at the top)

NORTH-WEST: 128.20                   (Manchester being at the top)

YORKSHIRE: 38.60                        (Leeds being at the top)

WEST MIDLANDS: 28.20          (Birmingham being at the top)

EAST MIDLANDS: 15.2                                    (Nottingham being at the top)​

EAST OF ENGLAND: 33.70                             (Luton being at the top)

SOUTH-EAST: 22.90                                    (Reading being at the top)

SOUTH-WEST: 11.4                                 (Gloucester being at the top)

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FOR LONDON DATA, CLICK HERE

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Total Gun Offences in England and Wales

NORTH-EAST: 177              (Northumberland being at the top)

NORTH-WEST: 909             (Greater Manchester being at the top)

YORKSHIRE: 780                  (West Yorkshire being at the top)

WEST MIDLANDS: 1011        (West Midlands being at the top)

EAST MIDLANDS: 484                         (Northamptonshire being at the top)​

EAST OF ENGLAND: 520                                (Essex being at the top)

SOUTH-EAST: 390                                   (Hampshire being at the top)

SOUTH-WEST: 325                      (Devon and Cornwall being at the top)

LONDON: 2,048                                                       (Metropolitan Police 2,046)

WALES: 115                                             (South Wales being at the top)

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