UK unveils measures to fight violent youth crime

Professionals in the health and education sector, police service and other walks of life in the United Kingdom will be required to report warning signs help tackle the problem of youth violence.

On Monday, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid launched a consultation to ensure public bodies, including hospitals, raise concerns about children at risk of becoming involved in knife crimes.

The Home Office proposal is called a public health duty, and is designed to ensure that every part of the social system works together to support young people and makes targeted interventions before they commit violence or are groomed by gangs.

"The public health, multi-agency approach has a proven track record and I'm confident that making it a legal duty will help stop this senseless violence and create long-term change," Javid said.

The proposal came as British Prime Minister Theresa May hosted a meeting to tackle knife crimes and discuss a multi-agency response to violent crimes.

"To bring about lasting change and protect young people from the tragic violence we have seen on our streets, we need to work across society to intervene early and stop them from being drawn into crime," she said.

"This week's summit in Downing Street is focused on ensuring everyone coming into contact with young people ... work better together to make targeted interventions and steer them away from violence."

Backed by legislation, professionals in such fields as law enforcement, health, the voluntary sector and education will attend the summit, as well as young people with experience of living in communities impacted by serious violence, to share their insights.

The summit comes amid evidence from south London, one of the areas worst affected by knife crimes, that attackers have been increasingly targeting faces, heads and necks with weapons including kitchen knives, samurai swords, machetes and even nail guns.

The number of stab wounds to the face and head and neck areas of victims increased by 50 percent between 2015 and 2017. Young males made up the majority of victims, but the number of young women is increasing too, according to King's College Hospital.

On Sunday, Javid also said he will reduce the level of police authorization required to impose the controversial Section 60 stop-and-search tactic, meaning 3,000 more officers will be able to deploy the power.