Are images of seized knives an effective crime deterrent? A comparative thematic analysis of young people's views within the Scottish context

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Cogan, N. and Chin-Van Chau, Y. and Russell, K. and Linden, W. and Swinson, N. and Eckler, P. and Knifton, L. and Jordan, V. and Williams, D. and Coleman, C. and Hunter, S. C. (2023) Are images of seized knives an effective crime deterrent? A comparative thematic analysis of young people's views within the Scottish context. Journal of Youth Studies, 26 (10). pp. 1293-1311. ISSN 1367-6261 (https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2022.2086038)

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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). 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.

ORCID iDs

Cogan, N. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0861-5133, Chin-Van Chau, Y., Russell, K. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7034-2749, Linden, W., Swinson, N., Eckler, P. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5734-8089, Knifton, L. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2227-7305, Jordan, V., Williams, D. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2227-9789, Coleman, C. and Hunter, S. C.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)