London Stabbings – Knife Crime with Injury 2007 – 2012

The number of stabbings in London that have led to injury has remained relatively consistent from 2009 to 2012, stabilising around 4000 stabbings a year.

Table of London Knife Crime Offences that have caused Injury by Borough 2007 – 2011

source MPS 2012

Figures are dependent on offences that have been reported and recorded by the police.

The data provided on this table refers to where a knife has actually caused an injury to the victim. The previous knife crime offences tables on the citizensreportuk.org site included knife offences where a knife was either seen or spoken of to threaten a victim.

Knife offences With Injury:All offences of Murder, attempted murder, threats to kill, manslaughter, infanticide, wounding or carrying out an act endangering life, GBH without intent, ABH and other injury, sexual assault, rape, robbery where a knife or sharp instrument (defined as any instrument that can pierce the skin) has been used and caused injury.

The “Knife Crime with Injury” category may provide a better indicator of potentially lethal knife use, rather than “knife homicides” or “knife crime with serious injuries”. A wounding from a knife in a seemingly non-lethal area can very easily lead to severe and fatal consequences dependent on access to medical care and whether a major artery or organ has been damaged. The element of chance means that any knife wound is potentially lethal but luck and skill of health services has prevented many of these stabbing injuries leading to fatalities.