Police during a county lines operation
(Picture: Metropolitan Police)Police officers sharing knife images on the Met’s social media pages harms some young people, a new study suggests.
Scotland Yard said it would review long-awaited research, commissioned by the London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), into the subject released on Wednesday.
It found there is a negligible effect on the majority of youngsters on seeing large knives and machetes seized where they live in the capital.
But among a smaller cohort, mostly affected by violence, 53 per cent said such imagery on Twitter made them feel unsafe, scared and worried.
Lib Peck, director of the VRU, said: “Listening to the voices of young people is an integral part of our approach.
“What is clear is that while, for the large majority of the young people we surveyed, there is little effect of seeing images of knives online, the impact for a smaller group of young people who may be affected by violence, is much more profound.”
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe added: “Historically, we have shared images to highlight the work of our officers and their successful results. This has helped to reassure communities that the Met is committed to targeting those carrying weapons and fuelling violence on our streets. Other research has suggested this is important to communities.
“We are an evidence-driven organisation, and that extends to the way in which we communicate with Londoners. We look forward to reviewing the results of this research and engaging with our communities, which will inform our approach moving forward.”
Last January, University College London were asked by the VRU to examine the alleged unnecessary fear caused by the posts to shape Met policy.
Police forces, including Thames Valley and West Midlands, had stopped sharing them.
UCL researchers suggest many young people have become desensitised to seeing images of weapons and suggested speaking to those most affected by knife-carrying.
The Young People’s Action Group interviewed around 40 people aged 12 to 25 who use the VRU’s programmes aimed at tackling violence and exploitation.
Half said either they, their family or communities would feel afraid upon seeing police images of knives posted online.
Eight per cent admitted they could be more likely to carry a blade after viewing what had been confiscated.
City Hall said young people are supportive of the Met’s efforts tackling violence by taking weapons off the street, but felt police should focus on the good work done to make communities safer.
Jade Barnett, a member of VRU’s Young People’s Action Group, said: “I have high hopes that with the support of the VRU, including members of the YPAG, we will build a strong relationship with the Met to move away from posting images of knives and find other ways of demonstrating the work they are doing.”
