Child knife crime rises as kids head home after classes end

ONE in five stabbings involving children under 16 happens just after school, a poll found.

Researchers found a “significant peak” in child stabbing attacks between 4pm and 6pm.

Over-16s were more likely to be stabbed after midnight, the study published in BMJ Open revealed.

The findings come amid a surge in knife crime. The latest victim was a boy of 16 stabbed to death in South London at 11pm on Monday, the fifth youth to be killed in the capital in a week.

The researchers analysed data on 1,824 people treated for a stab injury in London over 11 years. Of these, 172 were children, 861 were 16 to 19, and 791 20 to 24.

While 1% came from wealthy areas, 71% of victims were from deprived neighbourhoods.

The frequency of stab injuries rose sharply in the late teenage years, peaking at age 18. Children were more likely to be stabbed on a school day than older groups.

The authors said: “This represents an opportunity for targeted preventative strategies.”

A knife was found in bushes after the latest attack, in Tulse Hill. Neighbour Paulina Wedderburn said: “The mum’s screams I can’t get out of my head.” DEADLY Knife at Tulse Hill