My Critical Research

My critical research is about how gang and knife crime in Britain is portrayed in the media. Many feel that it has a positive effect on young people whereas others feel that it forces more and more teens into carrying knives as protection.

I chose this topic as there has been a major increase in knife crime over the last 2 years. It has even 'overtaken terrorism as the No 1 priority for the metropolitan police'.

Facts show that:

Under 16's admitted to hospital with knife wounds has grown 88 percent from 95 in 2002/2003 to 179 in 2006/2007

16 - 18 year olds admitted to hospital with knife wounds has grown 75 percent from 429 in 2002/2003 to 752 in 2006/2007

I will be looking at newspaper reports, the news, TV programmes such as Ross Kemp on gangs and also Dispatches.