Knife crime
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what knife crime is, how it is misrepresented online, and where to get help if I’m worried about violence.
Key learning points
- Knife crime is rare but has serious consequences for individuals and communities.
- Most young people do not carry knives.
- Carrying a knife often increases the risk of harm to yourself.
- Online content can glamorise violence or distort reality, making knife crime appear more common than it is.
- There is support and advice available for young people worried about violence or knife crime.
Keywords
Knife crime - any crime that involves a knife, including carrying, threatening with, or using it illegally
Glamorise - to make something harmful or dangerous seem attractive or exciting, often in media or online
Distort - to change or twist something away from its normal or true form
Common misconception
Lots of young people carry knives, so all young people need to carry one to protect themselves.
Most young people do not carry knives. Carrying a knife makes someone more likely to be harmed, not safer. Professional support and practical safety strategies are available for anyone feeling unsafe.
Teacher tip
You should speak to your RSHE lead or DSL before teaching this lesson. Make it clear where pupils can report concerns or seek support in your educational setting and local community.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'glamorise' mean in general terms?
Q2.If you feel unsafe or worried about violence, the best thing to do is seek help from a adult.
Q3.Match each situation with the best response.
ask for help or change your route
remember this doesn't reflect real life
talk to a trusted adult about your concerns
Q4.Which of these is most likely to give you accurate information about crime?
Q5.If someone carries a weapon "for protection", this most likely makes them:
Q6.Carrying weapons typically makes conflicts more , not safer.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the terms to the definitions.
any crime that involves a knife
to make something harmful or dangerous seem attractive or exciting
to change or twist something away from its normal or true form
Q2.Which statement is correct about knife carrying among young people in England?
Q3.Carrying a knife often the risk of harm to yourself.
Q4.Priya sees several videos on social media showing young people with knives, with comments saying "Everyone carries one now." How might this type of content affect how knife crime is viewed?
Q5.Match each concern with an appropriate source of support.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Childline (0800 1111)
Fearless (Crimestoppers youth service)
Q6.What are potential consequences of carrying a knife?
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Knife crime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Knife crime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Staying safe: what do I need to know about knife crime? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.