Dr Erin Sanders-McDonagh from the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research comments on the causes of the knife crime surge that is blighting the UK and how it can be tackled
‘Recent research suggests homelessness is a key issue for young offenders. Interviews I have conducted with over 100 young people with serious offending histories (many are referred to third sector service because they are known to be gang-involved) suggests violence has escalated and young people are acutely aware of this – findings from the research make clear that young people are carrying knives (some from a very young age) and in some instances are also carrying firearms to keep themselves safe. Increasing police presence on the streets is like putting a plaster on a severed artery – it may help but it will not solve the problem.
‘My research makes clear that homelessness is a major issue for young people – in some cases parents ask young people to leave because they feel they can’t help them if they are engaging in drug dealing, some feel want to try to keep younger children safe, and for some young people, the violence they experience at home makes living on the streets a better option than staying at home. Being on the streets, no matter the reason, makes young people vulnerable to violence themselves and susceptible to becoming involved in gang activity. The insecurity of not having access to safe housing makes it difficult for them to regain a sense of stability – and when children as young as 12 are homeless and known to the local authorities, their failure to help and protect these young people is a big part of the problem. Local authorities frequently abdicate their responsibility to help these young people because they are seen as ‘dangerous’ or ‘criminal’ (rather than vulnerable or in need of help) which only increases the likelihood that they will continue to engage in offending activities – often so that they can afford a place to sleep and food to eat.
‘Homelessness is also an issue for young people who have been incarcerated. If they have been gang-involved and want to make a change, it is important that they have a safe place to go when they leave prison. The current system makes it difficult for young people to move to another area with an existing ‘local connection’ – and many local authorities do not want to house a young person they see as ‘risky’. More reciprocal arrangements that require local authorities across London to work with one another to make sure young offenders have safe housing is key to helping young people make a fresh start.
‘For many young people though, even if they move to a new area and are able to make positive changes, loneliness and social isolation also need to be considered. Most young people I interviewed have never been away from their families and friends in their local area and trying to make a new start in a place where they don’t know anyone and have no social networks is daunting. For some, going back to their local areas is not about going back to selling drugs, but about being able to have contact with friends and family. The reality is that even with the best intentions unless young people are able to make new networks in new areas, many will return to offending. Third sector organizations that have established good practices with working with these groups provide a critically important space for helping young people make new connections and their unique model of working with high-risk young people over long periods of time means that they are able to build trust and help them create new social networks that help keep them making positive changes.’
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