Quarterly statistical release on trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife or offensive weapon possession offences.

The report is released by the Ministry of Justice and produced in accordance with arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

Introduction

The publication contains key statistics describing trends in cautioning and sentencing, probation supervision and the prison population for offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon in England and Wales.

Main findings – Q4 2011

Between Q4 2010 and Q4 2011 the total number of disposals given for knife or offensive weapon possession has decreased by 7% from 5,149 to 4,781.

The proportion of offences receiving cautions and community sentences for knife or offensive weapon possession decreased, while the proportion of immediate custodial sentences increased and suspended sentences remained stable between Q4 2010 and Q4 2011:

• In Q4 2011 19 per cent (902) of all possession offences resulted in a caution in England and Wales; compared to 21 per cent (1,079) in Q4 2010.
• In Q4 2011 30 per cent (1,420) of all possession offences resulted in community sentences; compared to 31 per cent (1,596) in Q4 2010.
• In Q4 2011 13 per cent (614) of all possession offences resulted in suspended sentence orders; the figure in Q4 2010 was also 13 per cent (645).
• In Q4 2011 24 per cent (1,148) of all possession offences resulted in immediate custody compared to 23 per cent (1,173) in Q4 2010. Note – immediate custody figures for the latest quarter are likely to be revised upwards as final decisions regarding deferred sentences are recorded by the police, this typically increases the proportion by 1 to 2 percentage points.
  

The bulletin is produced and handled by the ministry's analytical professionals and production staff. Pre-release access of up to 24 hours is granted to the following persons:

Ministry of Justice: Secretary of State, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Permanent Secretary, Policy advisers for Sentencing Policy and Penalties Unit, Head of the Community Sentences and Interventions in Youth Justice Policy Unit, Policy lead for Out of Court Disposals, Policy adviser for Out of Court Disposals, and relevant press officers and special advisers.

Home Office: Minister of State, Home Secretary, Head of Violent Crime Unit, Principle Research Officer - Alcohol and Violence, Senior Research Officer - Alcohol and Violence, Policy lead for Crime Strategy and Crime Statistics, and relevant press officers and special advisers.