Link between rise in exclusions and increase in knife crime explored

• Watch Parliament TV: Knife crime
• Inquiry: Knife crime
• Education Committee

Witnesses

Wednesday 27 March in Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster

At 10am

• Will Linden, Deputy Director, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit
• AC Mark Simmons, Assistant Commissioner, London Metropolitan Police
• Carlie Thomas, Senior Caseworker Rescue & Response, St Giles Trust
• Sir Michael Wilshaw, Professor of Education and Director of Multi-Academy Trusts, St Mary's University

Purpose of the session

In the first two months of this year, there were 41 fatal stabbings in England and Wales, and latest figures show the number of annual fatal stabbings is at the highest since records began. The session will examine some of the factors which may have led to the rise, as well as whether there is a correlation between knife crime and school exclusions. Members will also have the chance to discuss with the panel Scotland's approach to tackling knife crime over the past decade.

Last summer, the Committee's report on alternative provision called on the Government to do more to tackle the rise in school exclusions and improve the quality of alternative provision. The report warned that a lack of early intervention and support was contributing to an increase in the number of pupils being excluded.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: SchoolWorkshops