My BBC Report

Social Media Ban for Possible Knife Crime Suspects

Suspects of possible knife crimes, ages 12 and over, could be banned from social media by the police and could be targeted by new Knife Crime Prevention Orders. Knife possession has risen by almost a third in the last five years, and violent crimes in England and Wales is up by 19%. 

If a court believes that the police has correct intelligence regarding knife crime, it can impose sanctions such as:

• Curfews to keep suspects off of the streets.
• Banning the suspect from all social media.
• Being stopped from meeting other people of their gang for 2 years.
• Requirements to attend knife awareness courses

Breaching an order  would be a criminal offence, punishable by up to 2 years in prison.

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Knife Crime Suspects Could Face Social Media Ban

Knife crime has always been a problem in the UK, however, lately it seems that it is rising. knife possession has risen by almost a third in the last five years, and violent crime in England and Wales is up by 19%.

Due to this, police have established new Knife Prevention Orders which could target anyone suspected of possible knife crimes, ages 12 and over. If a court believes that the police has correct intelligence regarding knife crime, it can impose sanctions such as:

• Social media bans for suspects of knife crime.
• Curfews to keep the suspects off the streets.
• Being stopped from meeting other people of their gang for 2 years
• Requirements to attend knife awareness courses

If a suspect were to breach an order they could face up to 2 years in prison, as it would be seen as a criminal offence. The prevention orders would be imposed on anyone ever convicted of carrying a knife to stop them from going back to their old ways.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales has found that 6% of children have known someone who has carried a knife.

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Who to interview:

• Police officer?
• Other students our age with different opinions

Questions to ask:

• Do you believe that banning social media from possible knife crime suspects could help prevent knife crime?
• Who could these sanctions affect? 
• How would these sanctions be enforced?
• Why do you think knife crime is such a big problem in the UK?
• When will laws be put in place?
• How could students keep themselves safe from knife crime?
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