Youth Violence and Gang Prevention – Global and UK Overview

Youth violence is a critical issue worldwide, with an estimated 200,000 homicides annually among youth aged 10–29 making it the 4th leading cause of death for this age group.

Beyond loss of life, youth violence including gang-related incidents has far-reaching social and economic costs, impacting families and whole communities. In the UK, serious youth violence has risen over the past decade.

For example, in England and Wales 99 young people (16–24) were homicide victims in 2022/23, up from 87 a decade earlier, and 467 children required hospital treatment for knife wounds that year a 47% increase from 2012/13.

While violence peaked around 2017–2018 and then declined during the pandemic, levels remain higher than ten years ago. Notably, knives now account for 82% of homicides among 13–19-year-olds, underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention.

Research shows youth violence is preventable. Evidence-based strategies span multiple sectors from schools and families to policing and community programs. School-cantered approaches are especially effective: rigorous reviews find that school-based interventions such as anti-bullying curricula and social-emotional learning programs significantly reduce youth aggression.

Promising interventions also include family support e.g. parenting programs, mentoring for at-risk youth, and community coalitions that engage local stakeholders.

In contrast, “scared straight” deterrence tactics have no positive effect and can even harm young people. It is notable that programs targeting gang membership specifically have shown inconclusive results so far due to limited high-quality evaluation indicating a need for further research on what works to steer youth away from gangs.

Given the complex roots of youth violence including social deprivation, adverse childhood experiences, gang culture and more, experts suggest multi-sector, “whole-system” approaches. One influential model comes from Scotland: in 2005 Glasgow launched a Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) treating violence as a public health issue.

The SVRU coordinates police, health, education, and community services to address root causes from school exclusion to unemployment. Over 19 years, this approach contributed to a 60% reduction in homicides in Glasgow 52% across Scotland, with the largest drop among young people.

The public health, early-intervention strategy focusing on prevention, not just enforcement transformed Glasgow from the former “murder capital” of the UK into a case study in violence reduction.

For funders, the implication is clear: investing in prevention works. Effective programs share key principles: they aim to create positive life changes for youth building skills, opportunities and supportive relationships and are delivered by trained facilitators with fidelity to proven models.

Interventions are most impactful when they occur in natural settings schools, homes, communities and involve regular, sustained contact with youth. By funding evidence-based youth programs and encouraging collaboration across education, justice, and health systems stakeholders can reduce violence and its costly consequences.

Indeed, violence is not inevitable: with the right support and early intervention, young people can be kept safe from gangs and crime, leading to safer communities and brighter futures.