Community work is “very key” to tackling the increase in knife crime in Bristol, with many assailants believed to be teenagers, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
With the infamous murders of Max Dixon and Mason Rist in Knowle West as well as an unnamed teenager being stabbed outside McDonalds near the city centre, action is paramount.
In the UK, knife-enabled crime increased by 4% in 2024, with police recording 50,510 offences. This is a significant 78% increase over the past decade.
“That’s what neighbourhood policing is about, we need to be connected… builds confidence in the police and makes people more likely to report things to us,” Supt Mark Runacres said.
Bristol has many knife crime charities across the city such as Crimestoppers, Together for Change, The Ben Kinsella Trust and Fearless. The city also has multiple youth centres housing vulnerable young people. Some have decided to voice their concerns about this issue.
Carl, a support worker at The Station youth centre in Bristol, expressed how the misconceived notions of today’s youth has estranged adults from helping young people.
“It’s quite easy for us, as a society, to take the moral high ground…for some young people it’s [their lives] a warzone!”
A young man from Afghanistan, whose requested to remain anonymous, expressed how he believes many young people are worried about knife crime in their local area: “Some people use knives to get money.”
He went on to say that the strategy to avoid youth violence begins at home.
“First thing, starts with father and mother telling their son ‘Don’t do this, go to school, go to college’. Pay respect.”
So, it seems that trust and respect are important with the Police, but they are just as important in the household.
