NEW FIGURES have revealed that more than 1,000 children in West Yorkshire have been convicted or cautioned for knife crimes and incidents involving bladed articles in the past decade.

Ministry of Justice figures for West Yorkshire Police show young people were involved in 1,290 of the 7,390 cases resulting in cautions or convictions between July 2010 and June 2021 – making up 17% of those punished. 586 of those punishments were handed to children aged between just 10 and 15.

Chief Inspector James Kitchen of West Yorkshire Police said: “Tackling knife crime is a key focus for West Yorkshire Police and the force continues to prioritise reducing it through Operation Jemlock.

"The Violence Reduction Unit also supports community work with young people to divert them away from involvement in violent crime," however, “it is important to note that these figures do not solely refer to knives, they also cover articles with a blade or point. This can include forks, pens and scissors."

Operation Jemlock was launched in April 2019 which meant that West Yorkshire was given additional funding to tackle knife crime and violence.

Chief Inspector James Kitchen added: “Carrying a knife is never the answer and the consequences of getting involved with a knife can be tragic and deadly. The Force has dedicated Safer Schools Officers who work in partnership with secondary schools across the county.

"This is part of the partnership approach we take to the issue, recognising that one organisation alone cannot tackle the issue in isolation – it requires partners together to do everything possible to reduce knife related crime."

“We continue to need the public’s help to tackle knife crime by reporting incidents and offenders."

The Government has pledged to do more to protect young people from knife crime and get weapons off the streets, after knife and offensive weapons convictions among under-18s rose significantly across England and Wales prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

A Government spokesman said it was combining "tough enforcement" and early intervention programmes to get dangerous weapons off the streets and to divert youngsters away from crime.

He said every life lost to knife crime is a tragedy, adding that an additional 20,000 police officers and increased stop and search powers would help to save lives and ensure more dangerous weapons are seized.

The spokesman added: “Knife crime has fallen under this Government since 2019, but we are determined to do more and this requires a joined-up response – particularly to protect our young people."

If you have any information about knife crime in your area, please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101, make a report online via the contact us section of our website or ring the independent Crimestoppers charity on 800 555 111.