Serious youth violence in England is widespread and not restricted to particular ethnic or demographic groups, according to investigators who were told that children as young as 11 are carrying knives for protection.

The joint report by school, police and probation inspectors found that youth violence could be reduced by careful early intervention but warned that the dangers facing children were more far-reaching than realised by many adults.

The report is based on joint targeted area inspections carried out since September 2023. The teams inspected services and interviewed hundreds of young people and their families in Leeds, Manchester, Coventry, the London borough of Merton, Lancashire and Somerset.