Proactive policing plays part in increase of knife possession offences

Ministry of Justice statistics on sentencing for knife and offensive weapons crimes show that the number of first time offenders is at its lowest level since 2009.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for serious violence, Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, said:

“Proactive policing and tactics like intelligence led stop and search, speaking to our local communities, weapons sweeps and effective targeting of habitual knife carriers have played a role in the rising number of offensive weapon offences that are prosecuted.

“These figures show that the number of first time offenders is now at its lowest level since March 2009 and that is encouraging but we know there is more to be done.

“Preventing young people from carrying knives is not something that police forces can do alone - it requires schools, charities, the health service and community groups to work together. This early intervention plays a vitally important role in stopping young people from getting involved in crime.”