Understanding youth knife culture, challenging myths and stereotypes, developing positive strategies, 23 October 2025
Provides a unique insight into the current phenomenon of knife crime to uncover the real story behind the statistics with an expert from the Ben Kinsella Trust – the UK’s leading anti-knife crime organisation.
We’ll offer some context as to why knife crime has risen by a staggering 87 per cent in the last decade and discuss practical strategies for prevention, intervention and investigation.
Workshop will challenge existing myths and stereotypes held by those carrying knives that might contribute to the upward trajectory of the figures.
Workshop will explore and challenge potential myths and stereotypes that might be held by some investigators and provide an insight into the current threat picture to help inform operational activity.
We’ll offer practical strategies for investigators and discuss positive ways to take a holistic approach by engaging with communities and other organisations more effectively.
Workshop will be led by Anoushka Dunic, Head of Training at the Ben Kinsella Trust. Anoushka is an experience investigator with 20 years’ service in the Met Police where she served as a community engagement officer in a gang awareness unit. She has also conduced academic study into knife crime and neighbourhood policing.
The workshop will include:
Role of social media
A exploration of the role of social media in ‘normalising’ and promoting the carrying of knives and serious violence
Commonly held myths.
An insight into common myths held by young people who believe that carrying a knife will make them safer when in fact they are in more danger if they carry a knife.
Socio-economic factors
A look at the socio-economic factors that have contributed to the rise in knife crime and the effect the Pandemic has had on children who were ten-year-old at the time and who are now sixteen years old.
Brain Development in Adolescence
An insight into the brain development of young people in adolescence that could be fuelling knife crime. Evidence suggests that their brain development can lead to them seeking excitement without an understanding of the consequences.
Contagion Normalisation Theory
A consideration of the theory of ‘contagion normalisation’ that provides young people with a distorted view where they believe that carrying a knife is standard practice and that everyone is carrying a knife.
Understanding Intersectionality
We’ll look at how we all have unique experiences and perspectives based on our individual realities and how this could help provide a valuable insight for investigators into the individual motivations of young people who carry knives.
The role of the Investigator
We’ll be encouraging investigators to develop awareness about their own myths and stereotypes about young people who carry knives and how this could be adversely affecting their investigations.
Vicarious Trauma Theory
Well explore the concept of ‘vicarious trauma theory’ which could be affecting the investigator’s response to young people who carry knives.
The Investigation Strategy
We’ll provide guidance for investigators for developing their investigation strategy and suggest ways for more effective partnership working.
Adopting a victim-led approach
The importance of a Victim-led approach to prevention and intervention strategies.
• Held online via Teams
• Certificates of CPD available
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £189.50 + VAT (GBP) per delegate (LEA and Government Agency rate).
Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.
Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.
Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.