Ministry of Justice

More knife criminals are going to jail for longer

10 September 2009

Knife in hand

More criminals are being given longer prison sentences for carrying a knife, according to new statistics published by the Ministry of Justice today.

The figures show the number of offences dealt with involving knives has fallen, and the proportion of those jailed has increased, while the number of cautions given out has fallen.

For the period of April to June 2009 the average length of the prison sentence handed down for possessing a knife went up by 42% – from 137 days in the second quarter of 2008 to 194 days in the same period this year.

On average, there was a 32% increase in the number of prisoners serving a sentence for a possession of an offensive weapon between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009.

The statistics also show:

  • A fall of 13% in the total number of offences involving possession of a knife or other offensive weapon dealt with – from 7,143 to 6,231, compared to same period in 2008. This fall increases to 23% for youths aged between 10 and 17.
  • The proportion of immediate custodial sentences given for possessing a knife or offensive weapon increased from 17% of all sentences to one in five (19%) between the second quarter of 2008 and the same period in 2009.
  • The proportion of cautions for carrying a knife fell from 35% to 25% between the second quarter of 2008 and the same period this year.

Justice Minister Claire Ward said:

‘There is no excuse for carrying a knife on our streets. The government is serious about tackling knife crime and these statistics show our rigorous stance is having an effect.

‘Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts – this is a cornerstone of our justice system – but the latest figures show more of the people caught carrying a knife are being sent to jail, and for longer. Tougher penalties have been introduced for those caught in possession of a knife, with the starting point for an adult now three months in jail.

‘We have also made it clear that anyone aged 16 or over should be prosecuted at their first offence and have doubled the maximum sentence for being caught with a knife to four years’ imprisonment.

‘But the figures also show we must work even harder to rid our streets of the scourge of knife crime. In order to do that, we are working with retailers across the country to better prevent the sale of knives to under 18s and have also given teachers new powers to search for knives at school.’

Policing Minister David Hanson said:

‘We are committed to tackling all forms of serious youth violence through a combination of education, intervention and enforcement.

‘Today’s statistics send out a clear message that people who break the rules and continue to carry knives and offensive weapons will face tough penalties. More people are now going to prison for carrying weapons and sentences are longer than this time last year.’

More than half (54%) of all offences committed by those aged 10 to 17 resulted in a tough community sentence, carried out during what would have been their leisure time.

Such sentences are vital to make sure young people are given the chance to make amends for their crimes, make a positive contribution to their communities and get back on the right path.

Notes to editors

  1. The full statistical bulletin, Knife crime sentencing quarterly brief – April to June 2009, England and Wales, is published on the Ministry of Justice website.
  2. The figures relate to disposals (from cautions to custodial sentences) in England and Wales during the period April to June 2009. All statistics quoted in the quarterly brief are provisional and subject to change in future quarters.
  3. On 11 March 2009, the Home Secretary announced an extra £5 million to extend the Tackling Knives Action Programme for another year. In November 2008, four more police forces were added to the original ten, as second tier forces - Bedfordshire, Northumbria, South Yorkshire and British Transport Police. The scheme has now been extended to include Kent and Hampshire.
  4. The Tackling Knives Action Programme works alongside the £100 million Youth Crime Action Plan. The action plan, published in July 2008, takes a comprehensive look at youth crime and sets out a package of measures to deal with the full range of issues around it, setting a goal to reduce by one fifth the number of young people entering the criminal justice system by 2020.
  5. For more information please contact the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3536.
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