| answer text |
<p /> <p>Knives on our streets are a social scourge. Unlawful possession of a knife
or offensive weapon is already a serious criminal offence (which carries a maximum
4 year custodial sentence). We are building on that to send a clear and unequivocal
message that those who use a knife or offensive weapon to threaten another person
are behaving in a wholly unacceptable manner and can expect an automatic custodial
sentence.</p><p> </p><p>This Government introduced the offences of threatening with
a knife or offensive weapon in public or in a school. And last year, the Government
made changes to the Simple Cautions Guidance issued to police to restrict the use
of cautions for certain offences, including knife possession, in all but exceptional
circumstances. The Ministry of Justice is also legislating on these changes within
the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, to make it absolutely clear that cautions should
no longer be used for serious offences such as those involving a knife or offensive
weapon.</p><p> </p><p>Within the sentencing framework, it is for judges and magistrates
to decide the appropriate sentence in individual cases taking account of the harm
the offence caused and the culpability of the offender. Under the Coroners and Justice
Act 2009, there is an obligation on courts, when sentencing for offences, to follow
the guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council, unless it would be contrary to the
interests of justice to do so.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice does not hold
information disaggregating crimes committed using a knife, as opposed to violent offences
committed via other means. However, detailed figures relating to knife and offensive
weapon possession are published on a quarterly basis, the latest version of which
is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly-brief-july-to-september-2014"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly-brief-july-to-september-2014</a></p>
|
|
