The gospel is bringing hope in the midst of rising knife crime, London City Mission (LCM) says.
The capital-based outreach organisation says knife crime has been increasing since 2016, and points to a recent Channel 4 News report showing that there are “equivalent to four knife-related incidents in English and Welsh schools per week”.
But LCM says its early-intervention programme, entitled Operation Forgiveness, is bringing hope. According to the Mission, knife crime reached a peak in 2024, with 16,585 recorded incidents involving young people and youth violence.
But, it adds: “Operation Forgiveness – delivered by local churches in primary schools across the capital – is seeing great success at reaching young people, offering guidance, resources and care, and can help them to reset their trajectory”.
Jason O’Shea, Ministry Leader for Operation Forgiveness at LCM, says: “Children need reassurance, hope and a sense that another way is possible.
“Forgiveness isn’t abstract for us – it’s a lived reality that has the power to break cycles of fear and violence.
“Early intervention is proven to work – and that’s exactly what we do. We regularly meet children who are living with fear. Many primary-aged children suggest it is OK to carry a knife for protection. If we don’t step in early, fear hardens into something far more destructive.”
In the current situation, LCM believes there is a critical opportunity for churches to step forward as embedded, trusted partners within local communities.
