Knife crime letter
Dear Parents/Carers,
We need your support to speak to the young people in your life about the dangers they could face if they choose to carry a knife or blade. Carrying a knife is not a common thing, the statistics show that 99% of young people ages 10 to 29 don’t carry a knife, but those that do can put themselves and others in danger.
Through the #DitchTheBlade multi agency campaign we’re encouraging everyone to talk about this topic to show that it’s not socially acceptable to carry a knife for any reason. Through education and awareness raising, we’ll be highlighting the dangers and consequences of knife crime over a number of weeks in May 2026, so you may see increased coverage on the topic during this time.
Some young people choose to carry a knife out of fear it will given them greater protection, however, by doing this they are actually putting themselves in greater danger as the knife they’re using can be used against them.
As well as a potential life-threatening injury, they could face further repercussions for carrying a knife, including a criminal record if caught in possession of a blade, which could impact their future opportunities. The impacts of carrying a knife can be far reaching, affecting the families of those concerned as well as the wider community, which is why we are reaching out for your help.
People often stereotype, but the truth is that any child from any background may choose to carry a knife. If you have concerns that your child, or any young person you know, may be carrying a knife, you can find advice, real life experiences and link to support organisations on the Staffordshire Police website: www.staffordshire.police.uk/ditchtheblade
We know that the overwhelming majority of young people will never carry, or be affected by knife crime, but by highlighting the topic and seeking your support, we hope that we can collectively make a difference.
Best wishes,
Chief Inspector David Barrow
Staffordshire Police
Knife Crime Lead
