Analysing Knife Crime Statistics: legal Insights

Being caught with a knife – the statistics

Tim qualified as a Solicitor in 2009 and specialises in Criminal Defence work. He regularly appears at Magistrates Courts and Police Stations to represent clients accused of all offences from shoplifting to murder.

Statistics have been published recently about young victims killed as a result of assaults involving a knife.  In this article, Old Bailey Solicitors advocate, Tim Cosham, considers the figures and what they tell us.

At the time the statistics were published, 35 children and young people have been killed from stabbings in 2017.  This represents the highest figure since 2008.

This shows that despite a reduction in media headlines there is still a worrying trend of young people carrying or being affected by knives.  For year ending June 2017, just shy of 37,000 offences were committed involving a knife or sharp instrument – a 26% increase since year ending June 2016 and the highest figure since year ending March 2011.

In 2015 new sentencing legislation was implemented by the Government in an attempt to tackle the growing problem with knives being carried in public.  Now, anyone over the age of 18 found guilty of carrying a knife or offensive weapon for a second time faces a minimum sentence of 6 months imprisonment.  Youths aged between 16 and 17 face a minimum sentence of 4 months detention and training.  This “second strike” rule means that the knife need not be brandished nor used but can still lead to a lengthy sentence.

This reactionary measure has led to increased prison sentences and so it has become even more important for people accused of carrying or using a knife to be represented at the earliest opportunity.  All of our solicitors and representatives at Old Bailey Solicitors are fully aware of the latest sentencing regime and can advise accordingly.

A court can move away from the minimum sentence if the court finds it would not be in the interests of justice to follow that sentence and we are best placed to assist you in making that argument.

For more information or for representation in the police station or in court, please call 020 7846 4999 or click here

Tim qualified as a Solicitor in 2009 and specialises in Criminal Defence work. He regularly appears at Magistrates Courts and Police Stations to represent clients accused of all offences from shoplifting to murder.