Fact check: How many deaths by knives

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that there were 262 knife homicides in 2023-24, accounting for 46% of all homicides, with kitchen knives being the most commonly used sharp instrument in 109 fatal attacks ^[1]. This is consistent with another analysis that reports 262 knife homicides were recorded in 2023-24 for all age groups, of whom 40 were aged under 18 ^[2]. Furthermore, 53 of 64 teenage homicide victims (83%) were killed with a sharp instrument ^[2]. The analyses also highlight the severity of the issue, with various stories and reports related to knife crime ^[3]. Some sources provide more specific breakdowns, such as 40 children lost their lives to a knife or sharp instrument, with 17 of whom were aged 15 or younger ^[4]. Additionally, 53 of 64 homicide victims aged between 13 and 19 were killed with a sharp instrument, which is 83% of teenage homicide victims in England and Wales ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key points that are missing from the original statement include the age distribution of the victims, with some analyses highlighting that teens are most likely to be victims ^[1]. Another missing context is the geographical location of the knife homicides, with some analyses focusing on England and Wales ^[2]. Alternative viewpoints can be seen in the different ways that sources present the data, with some focusing on the total number of knife homicides ^[2], while others highlight the percentage of homicides that involve knives ^[1]. Some sources also provide international comparisons, reporting on stabbing incidents around the world ^[5]. It is also worth noting that some sources do not provide direct statistics on the number of deaths by knives, instead reporting on various stabbing incidents ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement "How many deaths by knives" is quite broad and does not provide any context, which could lead to misinformation if not clarified ^[2]. Some sources may benefit from sensationalizing the issue, such as news outlets that report on individual stabbing incidents ^[5]. On the other hand, government agencies and research institutions may benefit from providing more nuanced and detailed analyses of the data ^[2]. Additionally, advocacy groups may benefit from highlighting the severity of the issue and the need for action to address it ^[3]. It is essential to consider these potential biases when evaluating the information provided ^[1].