British lawmakers and civil society groups have been fighting back for years, but social workers are convinced bans alone won’t solve the problem.

England and Wales are now seeing more than 50,000 knife attacks per year, numbers that are alarming experts. London alone records more knife-related incidents than all of Germany. Social media is flooded with videos showing battles between rival gangs and individual youths — fought with machetes, swords, or kitchen knives.

Easy access and widespread possession of knives have created a vicious cycle of weapons possession and violence. The problem is far from new, and Britain's lawmakers have tried to combat knife crime with bans, severe penalties, and crackdowns by law enforcement. At the same time, prevention programs are gaining broader support.

Experts and social workers agree tougher laws aren’t enough. They are calling for sustainable, long-term initiatives, investments in underprivileged areas, and deeper engagement with young people. They say only a combination of these efforts will provide Britain’s youth with an alternative to violence and crime, adding that knife violence isn't just a public safety issue. It's a far-reaching social problem that will only be solved with a collective effort from both policymakers and civil society.

 

 

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