Cornerstone VR youth safety films take on UK knife crime with immersive tech

Cornerstone VR has launched a series of virtual reality films designed to confront the growing issue of youth knife crime in the UK, following a reported 4% rise in knife-related offenses.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, 55,008 knife-related crimes were recorded across the country, prompting further concern among local authorities and youth services.

The new VR series was developed in collaboration with Thurrock Council, Enfield Council, and professionals across law enforcement, education, youth justice, and social care. It aims to provide immersive training and reflection tools for both young people and those working closely with them.

Bringing lived experiences into VR environments

The films portray scenarios that include being threatened with a knife, experiencing a robbery, and attending a party where a serious knife-related incident occurs. The content is designed to reflect real pressures faced by young people, shaped by input from those directly affected or at risk.

Seema Moules, Child Exploitation and Missing Team Manager at Thurrock Council, said, “It was important to create a resource that feels relevant to young people. These VR films capture the real pressures and risks of knife crime in a way that resonates.”

Linda Crawford, Head of Enfield Youth Justice Service, emphasized the need to go beyond traditional approaches. “Addressing knife crime with young people means overcoming fear, distrust, and deeply ingrained norms. Cornerstone VR’s VR-enabled films are creating a powerful, interactive way to educate, engage, and equip young people and the adults around them with the tools to promote safer decisions.”

Understanding the motivation behind knife carrying

Findings from the Youth Endowment Fund’s 2024 Children, Violence and Vulnerability Survey showed that nearly half of teenagers who carry a weapon do so for self-protection. Professionals working with adolescents say that peer pressure and misconceptions around safety play a significant role.

Cornerstone VR believes that data alone cannot address the issue. The company has developed its latest work in consultation with healthcare providers, educators, and youth panels to ensure realism and impact.

Serena Hadi, Head of Operations and Practice at Cornerstone VR, said, “Statistics alone often fail to communicate the visceral reality of knife crime. We wanted to create a series that allows our users to understand the scope of this societal issue affecting young people every day.”

Mohammed Hussain, Managing Director of Cornerstone VR, added, “Our ultimate aim is to help children and young people make more informed decisions, and to have the support from those around them to do so. We are extremely grateful to our collaborators for their input in making these films as realistic and impactful as possible.”

Addressing safety through communication strategies

Josh Dean, CEO of Audiebant, recently wrote for ETIH about the importance of effective communication in school safety strategies. In his article, How schools can improve safety with smarter communication and zoned alerts, Dean highlighted that without clear, context-aware alerts, schools may unintentionally guide staff and students into danger rather than safety during emergencies.

Dean argued for the use of zoned mass communication tools that provide specific instructions based on location, enhancing response times and accuracy in crisis situations. “During an attack, how do schools ensure appropriate responses from the people on their premises?” asked Dean. “The solution is to incorporate zoned capabilities, allowing different instructions to go to different areas of a premises at the same time.”