Knife robberies fall and County Lines gangs dismantled

At the same time, a Government programme set up to take down County Lines (ie drug smuggling networks that cross regions and often involve the exploitation of children) has led to more than 8,000 arrests, over 3,000 County Lines being closed and more than 900 knives taken off the streets.

This also saw more than 4,000 exploited children and vulnerable individuals given support to turn them away from criminally exploitative County Lines gangs and over 600 young people supported by specialist services. There was a 25% drop in hospital admissions for knife stabbings in the areas where large quantities of Class A drugs originate.

Relentless focus

Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “Every County Line closed, every knife surrendered and every child safeguarded means lives saved and that communities are safer. These results prove that our relentless focus on prevention and enforcement is working.”

Jones continued: “We have turned rising knife crime into falling knife crime, and we will not stop until serious violence is driven out of our communities and every young person has the chance of a safer future.”

Further, Jones noted: “This Government is driving an ambitious mission to cut knife crime by 50% within the next decade, taking decisive action and working hand-in-hand with police forces and local partners to deliver targeted interventions exactly where they are needed the most.”

In October last year, ministers launched a new group to clamp down on knife robberies, bringing together police forces in seven areas including Birmingham, Manchester and London to share intelligence, ramp up enforcement and drive down crime.

The County Lines Programme adopts a similarly targeted approach to dismantle drug gangs that exploit vulnerable people, while cutting violence and protecting communities. Together, these efforts are demonstrating continued success in making the streets safer by stopping knife crime and shutting down dangerous networks.

Significant impact

Kate Wareham, strategic director for young people, families and communities at Catch22, explained: “With thousands of children at risk of exploitation, we are really encouraged to see the progress being made by the Home Office in tackling County Lines. Its County Lines Programme is having a significant impact in stopping criminal gangs, safeguarding exploited vulnerable people and keeping communities safe.”

Wareham added: “Catch22 is proud that its national County Lines Support and Rescue Service continues to play a key role in this important work by providing immediate rescue and ongoing support to young victims and through working in partnership with the police.”

The statistics round off a year of consistent progress and hard-won success. The Government’s knife surrender schemes – amnesties that let people hand in knives and banned weapons safely at police stations, surrender bins or mobile vans – have seen almost 60,000 knives being taken off the streets, removing deadly weapons from circulation.

Over 50 Young Futures Panel pilots have gone live across England and Wales, bringing together police, social care, education and youth services to spot children at risk of crime early and connect them to tailored support.

Stronger age checks for the online sale and delivery of knives have been brought forward in the Crime and Policing Bill as part of Ronan’s Law. The same Parliamentary Bill introduced legislation including a new child criminal exploitation offence and prevention orders, which will disrupt and prevent this exploitation from occurring or re-occurring.

Hex mapping 

In November, Hex mapping – a new tool for police and community partners to use data and intelligence in order to drive down knife crime in hyperlocal areas – was introduced across 11 local authorities. This allows police and partners to deliver tailored and responsive interventions and tackle knife crime.

In December, the Government launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce licensing for knife sellers and importers. Tougher restrictions on dangerous blades and stronger enforcement powers are also currently proceeding through Parliament.

Pooja Kanda, knife crime campaigner, mother of Ronan Kanda and a member of the Government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, observed: “Ronan’s Law is deeply important to me as it closes critical gaps that allowed weapons to be obtained too easily, particularly in the online domain. Stronger age verification, tighter delivery checks, clearer responsibilities for retailers and platforms nd improved reporting of illegal online activity are practical measures that make a real difference. Alongside this, the national surrender scheme in July 2025 played a vital role in removing over 7,500 weapons from our streets.”

Kanda concluded: “While there’s always more work to be done, I cannot thank the Government enough for its efforts. Such progress shows what can be achieved when lived experience, campaigners and Government work together to tackle youth violence and strengthen protections for young people and communities so that no other family has to experience the loss that mine has been forced to endure.”

Practical steps

Faron Paul, CEO of Fazamnesty and also a member of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, explained: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together through the weapons surrender scheme. Working in close partnership with the Home Office, we’ve helped communities across the country in taking practical steps to reduce knife crime and make our streets safer.”

Paul concluded: “This collaboration shows what’s possible when Government and grassroots organisations work side by side. I’m confident that building on this momentum will deliver even greater impact in 2026.”