The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has published research looking at associations between childhood bullying and later weapon carrying in England and Wales. The research uses longitudinal data from 14,901 children living in the Bristol area and captures bullying experiences during the mid-to-late 2000s, at ages 8, 10 and 12-years-old. Key findings include: children who bullied others were more likely to both carry a weapon and become involved in violence, with associations stronger for physical bullying; and being bullied was linked to weapon carrying, but not later involvement in violence. The findings emphasise the importance of identifying and supporting children involved in bullying early.
Read the news story: First UK study finds association between childhood bullying and later weapon carrying
Read the report: Association between bullying victimisation, perpetration, and violent crime
Source: Youth Endowment Fund
Date published: 16 September 2026
