Everyone has the right to live, learn and work in safety, free from abuse, harm and neglect

What is knife crime?

Knife crime is any crime involving a knife or sharp object. This includes: carrying a knife, owning a banned knife, trying to buy a knife if you are under 18, and/or threatening, injuring or fatally wounding someone with a knife.

What counts as knife crime

Knife crime includes:

Carrying a knife
Trying to buy a knife if you are under 18
Threatening someone with a knife
Owning a banned knife
Injuring or fatally wounding somebody with a knife
Intent to injure or harm somebody with a knife
A robbery or burglary where a knife was carried as a weapon

Knife crime laws

For simply carrying a knife in a public place or on school premises, the maximum penalty if convicted is four years in prison. Those found on more than one occasion to be in possession of a knife face a minimum sentence of six months.

For offences when a knife is used on another person or in the commission of a crime (i.e. street robbery), the punishments become even more life-changing.

Using a knife or another bladed instrument, depending on the circumstances and nature of injuries caused, can lead to offenders being charged with a range of offences, from assault to Section 18 Causing Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent, from attempted murder to manslaughter and ultimately murder.

Such offences can lead to many years in prison. While committing murder carries a mandatory life sentences, offenders can also be sentenced to life in jail for committing a Section 18 GBH offence.

If someone is injured or killed by a knife while you are present you too could be prosecuted. You could potentially be sent to prison for murder in a ‘joint enterprise’.

You matter, lives can change #LivesNotKnives

Spotting the signs…

Seeing these signs in someone may not automatically mean they are being forced to carry weapons. It may be that something else is going on for that person.

But, if you spot a number of these signs in someone, it is important to raise this with a trusted adult to ensure that person is safe.

Busting the myths around knife crime

Knife crime is a topic of great concern for many communities.

Unfortunately, the issue is often sensationalised by the media and has led to the proliferation of many myths surrounding the causes and solutions to knife crime.

It is essential to separate fact from fiction to understand this complex issue better and develop effective strategies for prevention and intervention.

This section will explore some of the most common myths surrounding knife crime and provide evidence-based information to help bust these misconceptions.

By doing so, we aim to promote a more nuanced and informed discussion around this vital issue.

Victim of knife crime?

If you have been a victim of knife crime, it’s really important that you talk to a parent/guardian, an adult you trust or report it to the police.