29 May 2025, 14:47

By Stephen Akinsanya

Society has become desensitised to violence but education is still a powerful tool in stopping knife crime.

The recent figures released and highlighted on LBC today, whilst shocking, come as no surprise to me. As a defence barrister for 32 years, I have become acutely aware that the ages of the defendants I represent are becoming younger for knife possession. We now see children as young as nine carrying the most horrific weapons to school for protection. The ‘pot’ is simmering, and I have consistently described this as a public health crisis that, if not addressed, will only get worse. Sadly, my prediction was right. How have we got here?

The reality is that society has become desensitised to violence and social media plays a part in this, with endless footage of young people posing with, carrying and wielding large knives attracting ‘likes’ and comments on the platform. Exposing these young people to the reality of incarceration by prison visits,........

© LBC