Tackling Knife Crime at the Root: Community Impact Project Meets with MP Joani Reid

Last week, The Community Impact Project held an important meeting with Joani Reid, MP for East Kilbride, as part of our East Kilbride-based but Scotland-wide “End Knife Crime & Support the Youth” campaign. The discussion brought sharp focus to the complex and growing threat of knife violence—an issue that transcends geography, impacting communities across East Kilbride, Glasgow, and the nation as a whole.

Digital Culture, Violence, and Vulnerable Youth
A central focus of the meeting was the increasing glamorisation of knife culture through social media, music, film, and digital trends. These platforms often romanticise violence, portraying it as glamorous or aspirational. In a hyper-connected world, this kind of content poses a serious risk—particularly to vulnerable young people exposed to these messages without adequate support or guidance.

Parents, especially those raising children in the digital age, have voiced concerns about navigating online influences and shielding their children from dangerous content. The centralisation of violent cultural themes through digital platforms is a growing issue that requires urgent attention.

MP Reid responded to these concerns by committing to contact major social media companies, urging them to take responsibility for their content moderation practices. Upon returning to Parliament, she directly questioned a Government Minister about the glamorisation of knives online and referenced the tragic case of Kayden Moy—a local youth whose life was lost to knife violence.

Prevention, Not Just Policing
The discussion also turned to the need for a preventative, community-led approach to tackling knife crime. While enforcement is part of the response, it cannot be the foundation. We emphasised the importance of investing in mental health services, youth engagement initiatives, education, and safe spaces to steer young people away from harm and toward opportunity.

Joani Reid, drawing from her experience as a former councillor in Lewisham—an area similarly affected by knife crime—stressed the value of involving a full range of stakeholders, from local councils and academics to youth workers, victims, and even former perpetrators. Her office is now actively coordinating efforts to bring these voices into the conversation and build a broad-based public health approach.

Working with Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU)
We also discussed our intention to work with Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), whose public health framework has had proven success in reducing violent crime. With MP Reid’s support, we are optimistic about securing engagement with the VRU and exploring how their methods can be adapted to meet the specific needs of communities like East Kilbride and Glasgow.

On-the-Ground Engagement and Political Support
Following our meeting, MP Reid continued her local outreach by visiting another community organisation, further demonstrating her commitment to hearing directly from the people most affected by these issues. Her presence in the community and in Parliament reflects a genuine effort to bridge local voices with national decision-making.

This ongoing collaboration is a powerful example of how grassroots advocacy and political action can align to produce long-term change. With her backing, we hope to bring in more stakeholders, secure additional resources, and push for system-wide change rooted in compassion, prevention, and collective responsibility.

A Shared Commitment to Change
The Community Impact Project remains deeply committed to tackling the knife crime crisis across Scotland. We believe that true change will only come through a cultural shift—supported by education, mental health services, youth support, and community resilience.

We are grateful for MP Reid’s continued support and look forward to our next meeting. Together, we aim to advance real solutions to protect the lives and futures of Scotland’s young people.

Article by: KJ Yates – Chief Executive

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We are committed to ensuring that every voice is heard in this campaign. If you are an organisation, family, individual, or someone directly or indirectly affected by knife crime, we invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Please email us at EK@thecommunityimpact.co.uk or comment below. You can also submit an article or news piece for consideration via the same email. Your insight is vital in shaping a response that truly reflects the needs of our communities. Together, we can build a safer future.