A growing number of children aged 10 to 14 in London are believed to be involved in violent criminal activities compared to other youth demographics, according to a recent report.

Metropolitan Police data indicates that in 2023, 7,512 children within this age group were suspected of violent offenses, which includes knife crime, marking an alarming 38% increase since 2020.

Although this figure is lower than that from 2019, the report noted that the 10-14 age group constituted a larger share of serious offenses involving minors in 2023 compared to four years earlier.

Lib Peck, the director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which initiated the report, called these findings “concerning.”

Established by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in 2019, the VRU aims to address the root causes of violence in the city.

The analysis, conducted by crime and justice experts at Crest Advisory, reviewed data from 2019 to 2023 to better understand the dynamics of crime in London and offer strategic recommendations.

The data revealed that serious offenses affecting individuals under 25 initially declined during the pandemic but have risen sharply since.

In 2019, there were 56,734 serious offenses involving people aged 24 and younger, which dropped to 37,616 by 2021 before climbing back to 41,147 in 2023.

In 2019, children aged 10-14 accounted for 15.9% of such crimes, but this figure grew to 18.3% in 2023.

Conversely, the proportion of offenses involving those aged 15-18 decreased from 47.8% in 2019 to 43.5% in 2023, while the percentage for 19-25 year-olds increased from 36.3% to 38.3% during the same timeframe.

Peck emphasized the significance of the VRU’s initiatives focused on reducing school absences and exclusions, which are critical risk factors for children’s involvement in violence.

The study noted a decline in the number of permanent exclusions in inner London over five years, contrasting with a national increase, but observed a rise in suspensions in both inner and outer London.

It also highlighted the overrepresentation of youth with special educational needs within the youth justice system.

In 2023, the VRU introduced a three-year project worth £3 million that targets 70 primary schools across seven boroughs, providing specialized support to enhance children’s language and communication skills.

“This initiative directly empowers young people to manage conflict through dialogue rather than resorting to physicality,” Ms. Peck remarked.

Manda George, the headteacher of Torridon Primary School in Catford, southeast London, mentioned that her school utilized funding to enhance support for children with speech, language, and communication challenges through oracy lessons, as well as programs on relationships and conflict resolution.

George remarked that teachers are still witnessing the lingering effects of the pandemic, with an increasing number of young children facing difficulties in language abilities.

“In nursery, we can quickly identify children needing extra help with their language and communication skills, as well as those struggling to express their emotions instead of resorting to aggression,” she explained.

Now in the second year of the initiative, George noted significant improvements in student behavior.

“If students can address conflicts before they escalate into anger or distress, we can avoid situations requiring interventions like suspensions and exclusions.”

Sai Satyadeva, Torridon Primary’s inclusion leader, pointed out that it’s easy for children to feel “lost or labeled” in secondary school, leading to disengagement.

She emphasized that since the implementation of the oracy program, students are “better equipped to advocate for themselves” and are demonstrating enhancements in behavior and relationships with their peers.

During a visit to the school, older students were seen discussing a book they’ve been reading using a technique called Rally Robin, which Satyadeva explained fosters turn-taking and prevents any one individual from dominating the discussion.

The students were heard using phrases like “I would like to build on” or “I would like to challenge” the thoughts shared by their classmates.

Ten-year-old Ashton shared that this approach allowed respectful disagreement. “We don’t say you’re wrong, or shout out.”

His friend Madison, also 10, added, “If one person shares their feelings and the other responds, it helps solve arguments.”

Eleven-year-old Isla expressed appreciation for the method as it allowed her to “understand other people’s perspectives.”

“If there’s a serious disagreement, we don’t want it to become physical,” explained 10-year-old Ethan. “We talk about our feelings.”

Ms. Peck asserted that the results seen in the schools cooperating with the VRU have been “extraordinary.”

“Of the young people involved in these lessons, 96% managed to close the gap with their peers, and 81% achieved a reduction of more than 50%,” she shared.

However, it will take time to determine if such programs can effectively decrease the incidence of youth knife crime in London.

The report noted that with the VRU having been established only five years ago, evaluating the success of its public health strategies is challenging. Additionally, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic complicate the analysis of criminal trend data.

“Last year marked a significant milestone; we recorded the lowest number of murders among under 25s in 23 years,” Ms. Peck said when discussing the report figures.

Nevertheless, she cautioned that this should not lead to complacency.

“This is a genuine concern for Londoners, and far too many young individuals are getting caught in cycles of violence,” she added.

The report also advised the VRU to investigate children’s exposure to online risks, including social media influences and harmful peer or adult relationships.

This recommendation follows the release of the popular Netflix series “Adolescence,” which ignited a national dialogue about social media’s effects on youth.

“We must grasp what’s happening in the digital realm and its connection to physical violence,” Ms. Peck stated.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has repeatedly warned of the potential rise in knife crime in London without increased funding from the government. However, following last week’s Spending Review, the chancellor expressed confidence in maintaining promises regarding crime reduction and expanding police forces.

“Everyone desires a sense of safety,” Ms. Peck remarked when responding to concerns raised by Sir Mark Rowley.

“We need to substantially invest in preventative measures that deter young individuals from engaging in and being exploited by crime.”

Nonetheless, some might be doubtful about the correlation between funding language development programs for young children and preventing a teenager from resorting to violence.

“I understand that perspective,” acknowledged Ms. Peck, “but it makes complete sense. Schools are the safest environments for children.”

“One significant factor leading to exclusion or suspension is often a child’s inability to express themselves effectively, which may manifest as disruptive behavior.”

Manda George affirmed her strong belief in the connection between fostering early language skills and preventing later involvement in violence among older students.

“The earlier we can provide support to children, the more effective it will be. By secondary school, it may already be too late.”