Are images of seized knives an effective crime deterrent? Views of young people within the Scottish context

Cogan, N. and Chin-Van Chau, Y. and Russell, K. and Linden, W. and Eckler, P. and Swinson, N. and Knifton, L. and Williams, D. and Coleman, C. and Hunter, S. C. (2021) Are images of seized knives an effective crime deterrent? Views of young people within the Scottish context. Preprint / Working Paper. PsyArXiv, Charlottesville, VA. (https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/ma6g2)

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Abstract

The urgency to reduce knife carrying has been recognised by police services within Scotland and has been addressed by initiatives such as the sharing of knife seizure images on media outlets. This study sought to explore young peoples' views on the use of knife seizure images as a deterrent to carrying knives by using comparative individual interviews (N = 20) with photo elicitation. Three themes were discovered: (1) negative reactions towards images of seized knives, (2) images of knives may encourage rather than deter knife carrying, and (3) reinforcement of existing beliefs, stereotypes and stigma. These findings highlight the limitations of using knife seizure images as a deterrent and the importance of involving young people in developing preventative and non-discriminatory approaches to tackling knife crime.

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