The UK government has announced a significant reduction in knife crime, highlighting that homicides of this type have decreased by 27% in the same period during which more than 63,000 knives have been removed from the streets. This data is part of a broader strategy aimed at combating violent crime and improving public safety, especially in urban environments affected by youth crime.

The withdrawal of these weapons has occurred through various means. On one hand, voluntary surrender programmes have allowed for the collection of nearly 58,000 knives, enabling citizens to dispose of them without legal consequences. On the other hand, border authorities have seized thousands of additional weapons, while the police have intensified operations against criminal networks, especially under the well-known «County Lines Programme», focused on drug trafficking and the exploitation of young people.

Beyond the decrease in homicides, other indicators show a downward trend: knife robberies have decreased by 10% and hospitalisations due to stabbings by 11%. All of this suggests a positive impact of the measures adopted, although it is necessary to analyse these figures with caution to understand to what extent this is a consolidated trend.

One of the pillars of the new government strategy, entitled «Protecting Lives, Building Hope», is prevention. In a decade, the goal is to halve knife crime, not only through law enforcement but also by addressing the social causes behind it. This includes support programmes for at-risk youth, investments in education, and community initiatives to prevent adolescents from entering criminal dynamics.

In the legislative field, stricter measures have been introduced to limit access to dangerous weapons. Among them, the prohibition of certain types of knives, such as the so-called «zombie knives», as well as new regulations on online sales, stands out. In this context, the well-known «Ronan’s Law» establishes a two-phase age verification system for the purchase of bladed weapons online, both at the time of purchase and at delivery. It also obliges sellers to report bulk purchases that may appear suspicious.

This law is named after a young person who was killed with a weapon purchased online, a case that highlighted the shortcomings in the regulation of the sale of such products. The involvement of their family in promoting legislative changes has been key to accelerating reforms aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.

At the same time, the government has introduced a new crime: the possession of a bladed weapon with the intent to commit violence, even in private spaces. This measure expands police powers, allowing intervention before a violent act occurs, although it has also sparked debate about the balance between security and civil rights.

Despite the positive results, several experts point out that the relationship between the withdrawal of weapons and the decrease in violence is not necessarily direct. Factors such as socioeconomic conditions, educational policies, or changes in criminal dynamics can also influence the evolution of the figures. Additionally, some of the knives removed may not be linked to criminal activities, making it difficult to evaluate the real impact of the measures.

In conclusion, the decline in knife homicides in the United Kingdom represents a significant advancement in terms of safety, but it cannot be attributed to a single cause. The adopted strategy combines police actions, legal reforms, and preventive initiatives, shaping a comprehensive approach that could serve as a reference for other countries. However, the long-term challenge remains to address the social roots of violence to ensure sustained and lasting reduction.

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The UK government has announced a new set of measures aimed at combating knife crime, focusing particularly on those areas where this type of crime is repeatedly concentrated. According to official data, most knife incidents occur in a very small number of streets and specific areas, which has led to the adoption of a highly focused and data-driven strategy.

One of the main novelties is the investment of more than £26 million through the so-called Knife Crime Concentrations Fund. This fund will be allocated to 27 police forces in England and Wales, responsible for nearly 90% of knife crime cases. The aim is to intensify police presence and surveillance measures in the most conflictive areas to prevent crimes and apprehend offenders more effectively.

To make this possible, the Home Office has developed a new mapping technology that allows for the identification of «hot spots» of criminality with very high precision, down to areas of just 0.1 km². This microgeography approach not only allows for knowing where crimes occur, but also at what times of the day they are most likely to happen. Thus, security forces can deploy resources much more efficiently and strategically.

Among the measures to be deployed in these areas are the increase of police patrols, the installation of new CCTV cameras, the use of real-time facial recognition technology, and the placement of knife detection arches. This set of actions aims to act both as a deterrent and as a tool to identify and apprehend individuals involved in criminal activities.

This plan is part of a broader strategy of the British government, presented under the title «Protecting Lives, Building Hope», which aims to halve knife crime within a decade. Beyond police measures, the plan places special emphasis on prevention, especially among young people, who are considered a key group both for the risk of victimisation and for their involvement in these crimes.

In this sense, the creation of 50 centres called «Young Futures Hubs» is expected before the end of the legislative term, located in areas particularly affected. These centres will provide comprehensive support to young people, with educational, social, and accompaniment services, in order to reduce the risk factors associated with violence. At the same time, 50 «Young Futures Panels» will be deployed, multidisciplinary teams responsible for early identification of vulnerable minors and providing them with coordinated support.

The government will also continue to fund existing programmes, such as the Violence Reduction Unit, with an investment of over £66 million, as well as educational initiatives like the Safety In & Around Schools Partnership program, which will reach up to 250 schools in at-risk areas. This programme offers specialised training to improve student safety, especially during commutes to school.

Other measures include strengthening the fight against the distribution of weapons over the Internet, with funding for the Knife Crime Coordination Centre, as well as investments in the County Lines programme, aimed at combating drug trafficking networks that are often linked to knife violence. Resources are also allocated to the Turnaround programme of the Ministry of Justice, which works with at-risk youth who are on the verge of entering the judicial system.

Experts and representatives of social organisations have positively assessed this data-driven and localised intervention approach. They highlight that knife crime not only generates direct victims but also creates a climate of fear that profoundly affects the daily lives of young people and the cohesion of communities. Therefore, they consider it essential to act on the structural causes and not just on the consequences.

Together, this strategy combines technology, intensive police action, and social intervention with the aim of reducing violence, improving public safety, and providing real opportunities for at-risk youth. Despite the initial indicators pointing to a slight reduction in cases, the challenge remains to consolidate this long-term trend and ensure that the measures taken have a sustainable impact.

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The UK government has announced an investment of £31.6 million aimed at reducing recidivism among women in the criminal justice system. Beyond being a mere budget increase, this initiative represents a paradigm shift in the way public security is understood: moving from a model focused on punishment to an approach based on prevention and intervention on the structural causes of crime.

For years, penal systems have responded to crime with punitive measures, especially imprisonment. However, in the case of women, the data show that this strategy often proves ineffective. A very high proportion of women who come into contact with the criminal justice system carry stories of deep vulnerability: more than two-thirds have suffered domestic violence, many have substance addictions, and a significant portion have suffered brain injuries or mental health problems. These circumstances point to a clear reality: in many cases, female crime is the result of trauma, social exclusion, and lack of institutional support.

In this context, the new funding package is committed to strengthening specialised community services that work directly with these women. The aim is to provide comprehensive support in key areas such as drug treatment, access to housing, employment integration, and protection against abusive relationships. This type of intervention not only seeks to improve the lives of affected women but is also presented as an effective security tool: reducing recidivism means fewer crimes and, therefore, fewer victims.

From a public safety perspective, this strategy presents a fundamental advantage: it acts before the problem becomes chronic. Traditional policies often intervene late, when the crime has already occurred and the damage is irreversible. On the contrary, community support programmes aim to disrupt the cycle of crime at early stages, addressing risk factors such as economic exclusion, substance dependence, or lack of a safe environment. This preventive approach is particularly relevant when considering the economic cost of recidivism, estimated at around £18 billion annually for the taxpayer.

Another key element of the reform is the promotion of alternatives in prison. Although custody will still be necessary for the most serious offences, it is argued that it should be the last resort in most cases. In this regard, the report from the Women’s Justice Board highlights that community measures are often more effective in reducing recidivism and facilitating social reintegration. This idea is embodied in the expansion of the so-called Intensive Supervision Courts, which combine judicial oversight with mandatory access to treatment and support programmes.

These courts represent a hybrid model between control and rehabilitation. Participants must appear regularly before a judge who supervises their progress and ensures compliance with the established conditions. At the same time, they receive support to address underlying issues such as addiction or trauma. The results observed in other countries indicate significant reductions in recidivism, with declines of approximately one third in arrests for new crimes compared to traditional prison-based models.

From a security perspective, this approach also helps to strengthen social cohesion. Crime not only affects direct victims but also has a broader impact on communities, generating insecurity and weakening social ties. By helping women break the cycle of crime, these policies not only reduce crime but also contribute to stabilising families and community environments, especially considering that many of these women are mothers.

However, this model also poses challenges. Its effectiveness largely depends on the quality and coordination of the available services, as well as sustained funding over time. In addition, it requires a cultural shift within the criminal justice system, which must adopt a more rehabilitation-oriented perspective than one focused on punishment. Without these elements, there is a risk that the initiatives will be limited or fail to achieve the expected results.

In conclusion, the investment announced by the UK government reflects a significant evolution in security policies. Instead of focusing exclusively on crime repression, it advocates for intervening in its root causes, especially in a vulnerable group such as women. If implemented correctly, this approach can offer a dual benefit: improving the lives of affected individuals and building safer and more resilient societies.

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The British government has announced a set of important reforms to improve the judicial system’s response to rape cases, as well as to strengthen the protection of victims. The measures include the creation of a new national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service for victims of rape and the expansion of the principles of Operation Soteria in the courtrooms. These initiatives are part of a broader plan to make the criminal justice system fairer, faster, and more victim-centred, as well as to combat violence against women and girls.

One of the main innovations is the launch of a national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service, which will provide specialised legal support to victims of rape throughout the criminal process. This service, which will be launched at the end of the year, will initially have a funding of six million pounds over two years. The objective is to ensure that victims have access to independent legal advice during the most complex phases of investigations and trials.

Independent legal advisors will help victims understand their rights within the judicial system and assist them when authorities request sensitive personal information. This includes, for example, medical records, notes from psychological counselling, or data from mobile phones. In many cases, these requests can be invasive or disproportionate, and legal advisors may challenge them when they are not strictly necessary for the investigation. This measure aims to reduce the feeling, often reported by victims, that the criminal justice system examines their private life more than the behaviour of the alleged aggressor.

In parallel, the government will expand the principles of Operation Soteria in the judicial phase of rape cases. This initiative, launched in 2021, had already changed the way police and prosecutors investigate these crimes. Its approach focuses on analysing the behaviour and patterns of the suspect, rather than placing the main emphasis on the victim. This implies prioritising evidence related to the suspect and limiting access to the victim’s personal records only in cases where they have clear evidentiary value.

With the new expansion, the government wants to ensure that the same approach is maintained when cases reach the courts. That is why an academic expert has been tasked with examining whether, during the trials, judicial practices continue to subject victims to excessive scrutiny. The objective of this pilot study is to identify possible improvements in the training of judges and prosecutors, as well as in the guidelines and best judicial practices to ensure that trials focus primarily on the actions of the suspect.

According to the British government, these reforms are also part of a broader effort to modernise the judicial system and reduce delays in the resolution of cases. Recent published data indicates that, even with investments and efficiency improvements, the backlog of cases in the Crown Court could reach 133,000 cases by 2035. However, the package of structural reforms proposed by the government could reduce this figure to approximately 49,000 cases in the same period, preventing thousands of victims from having to wait years to obtain justice.

Among the reforms included in the court bill is the creation of new «Swift Courts” designed to handle cases with predictable sentences of up to three years, which would be judged only by a judge. It has also been proposed to increase the sentencing powers of magistrates to 18 months in prison, with the aim of freeing up resources from the Crown Court so that it can focus on more serious offences. Despite these reforms, jury trials will remain for the most serious crimes, including rape, murder, or serious bodily harm.

Finally, the government has emphasised that these measures are part of a broader strategy to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade. In this context, more than one billion pounds of investment have been announced, including 550 million allocated for victim support services and nearly 500 million for safe housing for people fleeing abuse.

Together, these reforms aim to transform the way the criminal justice system handles cases of rape. The main objective is to ensure that victims receive adequate support, that judicial processes are less traumatic, and that the focus of investigations and trials is primarily on the behaviour of the alleged aggressors. This guidance aims to strengthen victims’ confidence in the judicial system and improve their ability to obtain justice.

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A significant drop in knife crime in England and Wales marks a turning point in the fight against this type of crime. The latest data shows a 10% reduction in the most affected areas, thanks to an aggressive government plan and new prevention measures.

Knife robberies – one of the forms of crime that generates the most public alarm – have begun to decline across England and Wales. This reduction comes after the implementation of the Plan for Change, a strategy of the British government with the ambitious goal of halving knife crimes in ten years.

A specialised working group, formed in October 2024, has been key to reversing the upward trend observed between July 2023 and June 2024. This group includes seven police forces from the most affected areas, such as the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands , and Greater Manchester.

Between June 2024 and August 2025, there has been a notable decrease in knife-related robberies:

• West Midlands: -30% (771 fewer cases)
• British Transport Police: -26% (107 fewer crimes)
• Avon and Somerset: -14%
• South Yorkshire: -8%
• West Yorkshire: -7%
• Metropolitan Police: -5% (484 fewer cases)
• Greater Manchester: -3%

Law enforcement agencies have implemented strategies such as patrols in hot spots, the use of drones, plain clothes officers, and knife detection arches.  Police intelligence has also been improved to identify potential offenders before they act.

Likewise, the Ministry of Interior introduced a series of legislative measures. They highlight the prohibition of ‘ninja’ swords (through Ronan’s Law, following the case of Ronan Kanda, a young man murdered with such a weapon) and the obligation to verify age in the online sale of knives.

With an initial budget of £2 million, the government has launched Young Futures Hubs, support centres for at-risk youth. In 2025, 8 centres will be put into operation in high-risk areas, aiming to reach 50 in the next four years.

Patrick Green, director of the Ben Kinsella Trust, believes that suppressing knife crime is not just about reducing offences, but about breaking the notion that carrying a weapon is necessary for self-protection.

The Minister of Crime, and also a police officer, Sarah Jones, has emphasised the importance of maintaining pressure. She believes that there is still much to be done, but a sustained decline is beginning to be seen for the first time in four years.

The road is long, but the initial figures indicate that change is possible with coordinated action, investment in youth, and zero tolerance for weapons.

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Communities affected by repeat offenders will see their protection strengthened with the expansion of a new model of specialised courts designed to reduce less serious crime and nip recidivism in the bud.

These Intensive Supervision Courts, inspired by problem-solving courts in the United States, especially in Texas, combine strict judicial follow-up with personalised support for offenders suffering from problems such as addiction or trauma.

Offenders who commit crimes such as theft while struggling with personal problems will have to attend treatment, appear regularly before a judge and comply with strict conditions. If they fail to do so, they may end up in prison.

This model, which is part of the British government’s «Blueprint for Change» seeks to transform the response to petty crime by freeing up the prison system and focusing on real rehabilitation.

Drug and alcohol addiction fuels much of the crime that occurs. Crime will not be reduced until repeat offenders actually face up to their behaviour, according to Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending.

Promising results

The first four pilot programs in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Teesside have supervised more than 200 offenders. According to a recent assessment:

• 2 out of 3 drug tests were negative.
• Only 23% of the participants were sanctioned for misbehaviour.
• Substance use decreased.
• More participants with mental health problems accessed appropriate treatment.

These data point to a significant reduction in recidivism, as has already been observed in other countries using similar models, with a drop in criminal re-entries of up to 33%.

The expansion of these courts follows a record £700 million investment in the Probation Service, a 45% increase in the budget, and responds to the recommendations of the Independent Sentencing Review, led by former Justice Minister David Gauke.

During a visit to Texas, Gauke and the current Lord Chancellor saw first-hand how the expansion of problem-solving courts had reduced drug offences by 25% and decreased the prison population.

A view from the social sector

Pavan Dhaliwal, director of the NGO Revolving Doors, which works to break the cycle of crime, welcomed the expansion. These courts offer a real opportunity to address the unmet health and social needs that trap people in recidivism.

With this new approach, the United Kingdom is committed to a penal system that not only punishes, but also holds accountable, rehabilitates and sets things right. The expansion of Intensive Supervision Courts is part of a broader strategy to make the streets safer, reduce the burden on prisons and give a real second chance to those who want to change.

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The Council has adopted conclusions on the future of cybersecurity with the aim of providing guidance and setting out principles for building a more cybersecure and resilient EU.

In recent years, cybersecurity threats have increased significantly in level, complexity and scale. This has occurred alongside a significant increase in global geopolitical tensions.

Cybersecurity operates at multiple levels, persevering above all in the security of businesses, governments and citizens. Everyone deserves a secure internet and the peace of mind that comes from using it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, both online and offline. For the EU institutions, it is necessary to build a robust and resilient digital world through proactive measures and international cooperation.

The Council set out the principles to be developed in the coming months to build a more cybersecure and resilient Union. Focusing on implementation, adoption of harmonised standards, certification, supply chain security, cooperation with the private sector, support for SMEs and adequate financing should be among the top priorities for the future.

The Council conclusions recall the importance of focusing on implementation, strengthening coordination and collaboration, and avoiding fragmentation of cybersecurity standards in sectoral legislation. They also call for further clarifying roles and responsibilities in the cyber domain, strengthening cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, and working on a revised cyber crisis management framework plan. It also emphasises support for small- and medium-sized enterprises and the need to respond to the challenges posed by new technologies.

A multi-stakeholder approach, including cooperation with the private sector and academia, is being promoted by European institutions to close the skills gap. Underlining the importance of attracting private capital, the Council’s conclusions stress the need for adequate financing.

The external dimension is also highlighted, recalling that an active international policy would be necessary to strengthen cooperation with third countries, especially in the transatlantic context, as a contribution to a strong international ecosystem. In view of the changing and increasing threat level, the Council finally invites the European Commission and the High Representative to present a cybersecurity strategy.

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The Belgian presidency of the Council and the negotiators of the European Parliament have reached an agreement on an EU regulatory proposal related to the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters.

The law establishes regulations governing the conditions under which criminal proceedings initiated in one Member State may be transferred to another Member State. This will be essential to ensure that the best-placed country investigates or prosecutes a criminal offence and to avoid unnecessary parallel proceedings (of the same suspect) in different EU member states. The law will therefore help to combat cross-border crime more effectively.

An effective fight against crime also means that EU countries cooperate to ensure that criminal investigation takes place in the country best placed to serve justice.

The rules on which the Council and the European Parliament agreed should also improve respect for the fundamental rights of the suspect or investigated person in the process of transferring criminal proceedings from one country to another.

In addition, the regulation should help prevent impunity in cases where a person is refused to be surrendered to another member state on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant. The transfer of procedural rules (in the country where the accused is located) would ensure that the person would still face justice.

Thus, in the future, the authorities of a country will decide to request the transfer of proceedings (to another member state) on the basis of a list of common criteria. These criteria include:

• The offence has been committed in the territory of the Member State to which the proceedings are to be transferred or most of the effects of the offence, or a substantial part of the damage has occurred in that Member State.
• One or more suspects or investigated persons are nationals or residents of that member state.
• One or more suspects or investigated persons are present in the Member State to which the proceedings are to be transferred.
• Most of the evidence relevant to the investigation or most of the relevant witnesses are located or reside in that Member State.
• There is an ongoing criminal proceeding for the same fact or other facts against the suspect or investigated person in the Member State that will be responsible for the proceeding.

The regulations also include obligations regarding the rights of suspects and defendants, as well as victims, when deciding on the transfer.

Suspects, persons under investigation and victims shall have the right to an effective legal remedy against a country’s decision to accept the transfer of criminal proceedings. They may exercise this right in the country to which the criminal proceedings are transferred.

There shall be a time limit for filing a legal remedy, not exceeding 15 days from the date of receipt of the resolution accepting the transfer of the criminal proceedings. The final decision on the legal remedy shall be made without undue delay and, if possible, within 60 days.

With the expansion of cross-border crime, criminal justice in the EU has been increasingly confronted with situations where several Member States have jurisdiction to prosecute the same case. This is especially true with regard to crimes committed by organised criminal groups. Therefore, the rules on the transfer of criminal proceedings will help to clarify which member state would be best placed to conduct criminal proceedings.

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The European Council adopted conclusions on improving support and recognition for victims of terrorism. The conclusions emphasise that the fight against terrorism must be approached not only from the perspective of security, but also with a focus on the people directly affected by terrorist acts.

In order to make progress with support, assistance, and protection for victims of terrorism, the conclusions encourage the rapid adoption of the specific revision of the directive on victims’ rights – currently on the Council table – and the adoption of measures to ensure recognition and respect for victims of terrorism, such as the promotion of training for professionals dealing with them.

The conclusions highlight that remembering the victims of terrorism is fundamental for their recovery process, to promote social cohesion and for the defence of democratic values. They also point out that victims must play a major role in remembrance policies, due to the fact that their testimonies are a powerful tool to make people aware of the human consequences of terrorism and to prevent radicalisation.

Member States are thus invited to promote policies in the area of victims of terrorism so that their physical and psychological suffering is not forgotten and that these policies can also be used as a tool to prevent violent radicalisation.

In 2018, the Council called on Member States to establish a national contact point that would be responsible for the provision of information to victims of terrorism. The fact that these contact points are organised in an EU-wide network enables the exercise of victims’ cross-border rights.

The conclusions recall that being prepared in the event of a terrorist attack should also extend to anticipating victim support, in particular by designating a single point of contact for victims of terrorism.

In the EU, a directive on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime ensures that people who have been victims of crime are recognised and treated with respect. The law states that they must receive adequate protection, support and access to justice. It also obliges the countries of the Union to ensure adequate training on the needs of victims for officials who may come into contact with them.

On 12 July 2023, the European Commission proposed to amend its directive on victims’ rights. This update is now being discussed in the Council and the European Parliament.

For victims of certain crimes, such as terrorism, the EU has established additional measures to respond more directly to their specific needs. The anti-terrorism directive offers victims of terrorism additional rights of support, protection and assistance that respond to their needs.

In order to provide expertise, guidance and support to national authorities and victim support organisations, the Commission has also established an EU centre of expertise for victims of terrorism. It helps to guarantee that national structures provide professional assistance and support to victims of terrorism for all EU countries.

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In October, the European Council approved the European Union’s Maritime Security Strategy and Action Plan to address security challenges at sea.

The aim of these improvements is to ensure that the EU has a variety of effective tools to address evolving security threats and new challenges, such as the increasing strategic competition for power and resources in the Union’s sea basins and beyond, environmental degradation, and hybrid and cyber-attacks against maritime infrastructures.

The Strategy provides a framework for the EU to adopt new measures to defend its interests at sea and protect its citizens, its values and its economy. The list of the six strategic objectives that have been translated into more than 150 concrete actions in the Action Plan is as follows:

• Intensify activities at sea. The EU plans to organize annual maritime security exercises, carried out by coastguards and armed forces of the Member States.

One of the key actions is to intensify the fight against illegal and illicit activities at sea, such as piracy and armed robbery; organised crime, including smuggling of migrants; and irregular, unreported and unregulated fishing. It is also intended to strengthen safety inspections in the Union’s seaports.

• Cooperate with partners. It is planned to intensify partnerships with like-minded countries and with regional and international organisations, promoting dialogue and best practices and defending the maritime order.
• Take the lead in maritime downtime awareness. This includes improving the collection and exchange of information.
• Manage risks and threats. Improve the collective resilience and preparedness of the EU in order to protect critical maritime infrastructures such as pipelines, submarine cables, ports, gas terminals, etc.
• Improve capabilities. Develop common techniques for surface and underwater defence technologies, as well as create interoperable unmanned systems to monitor critical maritime infrastructures.
• Educate and train. Another aim of the Strategy is to achieve a high level of specialised education, skills and training, which is essential for the EU to deal with present and future maritime security challenges.

Some of the key actions in this area are centred around the skills required to deal with hybrid and cyber threats and the implementation of specific training programs open to non-EU partners.

The implementation of the Strategy will be assessed in three years, in a joint progress report to be prepared by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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