Apparently there is only one Dominic D’Souza! A heart warming message from a grateful client. It is these moments that make the job worthwhile!

 

Teen murders and teen murderers, how do we kill this crisis?

 Teen Murders in the UK: A Deepening Crisis and the new KKK.

Introduction

The rise in teenage murders in the UK has become a critical issue, highlighting the growing dangers faced by young people, particularly in urban areas. While overall crime rates have fluctuated, youth homicides—especially knife-related killings—have steadily increased over the past decade. I was called to the Bar in 1993.  In those early days of my practice it was rare to receive a brief to defend a murder case.  So rare in fact, that I could not help my pulse racing when reading the indictment…..MURDER contrary to Common Law.  But that was 30 years ago.  And none of those murder cases I defended back then involved teenage victims or defendants.  Sadly the world is a vastly different place today and I have lost count of the number of teenage defendants I have represented in murder cases, shootings and stabbings over the last ten years.  Tragically most of these cases have involved teenage victims; young men who were all but boys, dead before they could even start their journey through life.  Why are kids killing kids? The issues are complex, and go beyond those involving gang violence, social deprivation, exploitation, and failures in policing .
In this article I attempt to define the scope of the crisis and to provide an insight into it’s root causes.  For perspective I mention a number of relevant cases and finally I venture an opinion as to the effectiveness of current strategies to combat KKK – Kid on Kid Killing.

The Scale of the Problem

Teen homicides in the UK have reached concerning levels, particularly in London and other major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. Statistics reveal that a significant proportion of teenage murders involve knives, with stabbings being the most common cause of death.

Key Statistics

- In 2021, the UK recorded its highest number of teenage homicides in over a decade, with 30 teenagers murdered in London alone.
- In England and Wales, 40% of homicide victims aged 13-19 were killed with a knife or sharp instrument in recent years.
- The vast majority of teenage murder victims are male, and many are from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly in inner-city areas.
- Teenagers are not just victims but also perpetrators, with many killings being carried out by other young people.

Root Causes of Teenage Murders

Knife Crime and the Normalisation of Weapons

Knife crime has become a major driver of teen murders. Many young people carry knives for protection, but this increases the likelihood of violent encounters turning fatal. Some key reasons behind the rise in knife-carrying among youth include fear, peer pressure, social media influence, and easy access to knives.  There have been a number of reviews in relation to sentencing policy for offences of knife possession in a public place but harsher sentences have done little to deter those who wish to go about their day armed with a lethal blade.  Most recently ‘zombie knives’ have been outlawed for sale in the UK, quite sensibly as it seems to me that their only purpose could be to maim or kill.  However, as I write this article a cursory search of the internet and a scroll through Tik Tok reveals how easily these dangerous weapons can still be purchased.  In fact there are sales not only of zombies but flick knives, stiletto knives, lock knives, hunting knives, knuckle knives and a dizzying array of other assorted weapons for assault.  Our government’s response to this online problem has been singularly parlous.  I cannot understand why the government cannot make sales of assault knives to any UK purchaser by any online platform illegal.  If not a criminal offence, punitive fines could be levied for any breach of the prohibition.  I appreciate that this type of restriction would require the assistance of any hosting platform – such as Facebook, Tik Tok, Amazon, Ebay etc – but those are just hurdles that I believe our government should surmount in the creation of a comprehensive policy in relation to assault knives.  I note that although gun sales are more common in the US than car sales, here in the UK you would have to delve into the Dark Web to find a single gun for sale.  Why?  Because it is illegal to sell firearms in the UK.  Surely it can be made equally impossible to obtain knives manufactured only for assault if our government spent more time formulating a policy about this important issue?

Gang Culture and Territorial Conflicts

Gang involvement is a significant factor in many teen murders. Gangs often recruit vulnerable young people, using them for drug trafficking, violent enforcement, and other criminal activities. The rise of 'postcode wars' has led to deadly clashes between young people simply for being in the wrong place.  The majority of the murder cases I have defended over the last decade have been gang related and you need only go down to the Old Bailey on any given day to see that at least one of the courts is occupied in a gang related murder case.  Gang related violence is not just a territorial issue. There has been a marked reluctance in both legal and political circles to address what are clear cultural factors pertaining to gang culture.  In my own practice, the overwhelming majority of gang murders or gang violence that I defend involve black defendants and only to a slightly lesser extent, black victims.  This racial demographic is particularly apposite in our cities – London, Birmingham, and Nottingham where black youth gang culture is most evident – but also in Manchester, Liverpool and parts of the North East.

County Lines and Criminal Exploitation

The county lines drug trade often utilises children by exploiting their vulnerabilities, and this has contributed to the rise in teen murders outside our main cities.  County Lines drugs operations have expanded the presence of gang activity from the cities to the smaller towns where there is still a market for recreational drugs such as crack, cocaine, heroin or Ketamine.   Young people who become involved in drug trafficking are at high risk of violence, either from rival gangs or their own leaders if they fail to comply with the demands of the Organised Crime Group to which they belong.  As a result there has been a substantial increase in drug related violent crime in towns and villages that was unheard of only a decade ago.  From my own perspective and having defended a number of County Lines cases I can say this:  these are complicated cases that are difficult to investigate and thereafter prosecute.  My own view is that in this particular area the police are doing an excellent job in identifying and thereafter prosecuting county lines cases.  In this regard the police are greatly assisted by expert evidence from telecommunications professionals who are getting better and better at presenting complex data in jury friendly formats.

The Role of Social Media in Escalating Violence

Social media has become a key factor in youth violence, with online disputes often leading to real-world attacks. Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are used to spread threats, public humiliation, and violent content, fueling cycles of retaliation.  The use of social media by our school children is something that is trending presently in the UK.   A number of schools have implemented bans on social media use and it is a matter of debate whether to impose an age limit of 16 plus as a requirement for subscription to any social media platform.  I note that Australia have recently implemented such restrictions nationally.  In my own practice I have been shocked at the pernicious effect social media platforms have had in many of the cases I have defended.  I have seen gang related group violence arranged by tweet, instagram, snapchat and Facebook.  Misinformation is often circulated virally resulting in tragic consequences that should never have come to pass but for the ‘fake news’ sent around groups of teenagers who are glued to any developments in the drama of the day.  YouTube is often a repository of ‘drill videos’ in which gangs rap about what they have done to their enemies, or otherwise humiliating their rivals.  I have been surprised in the cases I have defended how prevalent these drill videos are in the lives of young teenagers who follow such artists.  Drill videos often glamorize gang culture, drug dealing, violence and murder.  They project an image of fast cars, designer clothes and piles of cash.  These videos are a dreadful and worrying influence on teenagers who watch them.

Andrew Tate’s Influence on Young Men and Its Connection to Teen Violence

Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer and social media personality, has become a polarizing figure in discussions about masculinity, youth culture, and violence. His messaging often includes hyper-masculinity, anti-establishment rhetoric, rejection of weakness, and encouragement of dominance. While he does not explicitly promote violence, his ideology can reinforce toxic behaviors that contribute to youth crime.  However, in my view Tate has been unfairly singled out in any assertion that there is a correlation between his philosophy and teen murder in the UK.  It may well be that Tate’s philosophies of life are repugnant to most of us who have any moral compass.  However, the views that he espouses relate primarily to the status of men over women.  Unlike the drill videos I have discussed above, nothing Tate says glorifies KKK.  Indeed, the KKK problem existed long before Tate became an internet influencer.  I do however accept that influencers who put out msyogynistic content contribute to the landscape inhabited by a young teen veering towards violence.  In a cultural context, black young men often refer to their partners as their ‘bitch’ or their ‘hoe’. The term ‘baby mother’ originated in the black community and although these derogatory labels have now crossed cultural divides they are considered more prevalent in the young black community particularly that asssociated with criminality.

In my view there are countless individuals who, in the age of the internet, have ready access to those vulnerable and impressionable teenagers influenced by harmful content.  It is unfortunately all but impossible to police this content let alone seek to manage it for a whole host of reasons such as free speech or artistic expression in a democratic society. 

Notable Teen Murder Cases and Their Impact

1. Jaden Moodie (2019)

Jaden, a 14-year-old from London, was knocked off his moped and repeatedly stabbed in a gang-related killing. He had been recruited by a county lines gang, despite his young age. His murder highlighted the dangers of youth exploitation and the need for early intervention

2. Keon Lincoln (2021)

Keon, a 15-year-old from Birmingham, was attacked by a group of teenage boys who shot and stabbed him in broad daylight. His murder, caught on CCTV, shocked the nation and raised concerns about the increasing brutality of youth violence.

3. Yousef Makki (2019)

Yousef, a 17-year-old from Manchester, was stabbed by a friend during an argument. Unlike many other cases, this was not gang-related, but it demonstrated how knife crime affects young people across different backgrounds.

These cases illustrate the devastating human cost of youth violence and the urgent need for solutions.

Government and Community Responses

1. Tougher Laws and Sentencing

• Longer prison sentences for those caught carrying knives or involved in gang-related violence.

• New laws targeting county lines networks, making it easier to prosecute gang leaders who exploit children.

2. Stop-and-Search Measures

• Increased use of stop-and-search in high-crime areas, leading to more weapon seizures.

• Controversial due to concerns over racial profiling and community alienation.

3. Youth Violence Prevention Programs

• The Ben Kinsella Trust and Lives Not Knives educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.

• Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) in cities like London and Glasgow take a public health approach, focusing on prevention rather than just policing.

4. Investment in Youth Services

• Calls for more funding for youth centers and mentorship programs to give young people alternatives to crime.

• Greater emphasis on mental health support for vulnerable youth.

5. Community Policing and Public Engagement

• Building trust between police and communities to encourage cooperation.

• Greater focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment for first-time offenders.

Conclusion: A Crisis That Requires Urgent Action

The rising number of teenage murders in the UK is a national crisis that demands immediate attention. While tougher laws and policing measures play a role, they are not enough on their own. A long-term solution requires investing in education, employment, and youth services, early intervention, and community-led initiatives to rebuild trust and provide support. Without significant changes, more young lives will continue to be lost to violence.

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