Expert warns young people are increasingly carrying knives

There is reason for concern about knife carrying among young people in nightlife settings, according to Tine Fuglsang, head of analysis at the Danish Crime Prevention Council. DR reports that the warning follows increases in two indicators linked to the problem.

Police have recorded more charges against young people for illegally possessing knives in publicly accessible places, Fuglsang said. There has also been a small increase in so-called sharp violence treated in emergency departments, which includes knife injuries.

That figure had declined for several years, but the latest data show that more people aged 15 to 34 have been treated in emergency departments, she said.

Fuglsang stressed that the increases are small and should not be interpreted as definitive evidence of a trend. But she said different sources pointing in the wrong direction should be taken seriously.

Her comments come after a 16-year-old boy died at an outdoor party in Roskilde last week. Another 16-year-old has been charged with stabbing him several times with a knife. The accused denies the charge.

The Danish Crime Prevention Council is calling for greater efforts to prevent young people from carrying knives. Parents and professionals working with young people should pay close attention to conflicts that appear to be escalating, including disputes that begin online and later spill over into the physical world, Fuglsang said.

A study by the council found that 17 per cent of young people believe others carry knives. By comparison, only 0.5 per cent said they had actually taken a knife with them into nightlife settings.

Prevention should focus on stopping young people from considering carrying a knife, either to use it or to protect themselves, Fuglsang said.