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Exploring the impact of knife imagery in anti-knife crime campaigns


 In response to rising knife crime levels across England and Wales, mass-media campaigns have sought to highlight the dangers of knife possession by publishing graphic pictures of blades and seized weapons. But what impact does such imagery have on a young audience? Using an experimental design embedded within a London Youth Survey, findings from the current article suggest that knife imagery can help to get the attention of young people, but may also make them feel scared and more worried about knife crime. Moreover, exploratory moderation analyses suggest the impact of knife imagery on feeling scared may be heightened amongst those already most concerned about knife crime. Policy implications are discussed—not least the extent to which it may be desirable to raise young people’s concerns about crime when the decision to carry a knife may itself be grounded in fear of victimization and self-protection.