You will find some Q&As on this page regarding the law surrounding knives. If there is something that we haven’t covered, and you wish to find out, please Email us and we will do our best to get you the answers!

Knife Crime and the Law!

Q. Is it against the law to carry a knife?

A. Essentially, Yes it is illegal to carry a knife without a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse could be that you’re a fisherman and are using it whilst you are at work.

Q. If I get caught carrying a knife, but haven’t used it, will I still get arrested?

A. Yes. And not only will you be arrested, carrying a knife, even if it is not used, carries a prison sentence of up to 4 years!

Q. What age is it legal to buy a knife?

A. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase a knife – as it is illegal to sell to anyone under the age of 18.

Q. Can I buy any kind of knife when I’m over 18?

A. No. There are some knives that are illegal for everyone to buy

 Flick Knives / Switchblades / Automatic Knives

 Butterfly Knives

 Disguised Knives (These could be hidden in a belt for example).

Q. If I take a Knife to School – Will it be dealt with my teachers only, without the Police getting involved?

A. No. The Police will be called if you take a weapon to school.

Q. If I take a knife out with me for my own protection, is that OK?

A. No. Even if you are carrying a knife for your own protection, you will still be arrested and prosecuted.

Q. If I stab someone, and they die as a consequence, will I go to prison?

A. Yes. You will face a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 25 years in Prison.

Q. If I have a Criminal Record, how could it effect my life?

A. If you have a criminal record, you might not be accepted into a college or university, be able to get a job and travelling to some parts of the world won’t accept people with a serious criminal record.

Q. What is “Joint Enterprise”?

Joint enterprise is a powerful prosecuting tool applied so that more than one person - often a group - can be charged with the same crime if it can be proved that they were in some way "in it together". It applies even though the suspects may have played different parts in the alleged offence

You can be found guilty of murder if, for example:

 you are part of a group and someone in that group kills someone with a weapon or by some other means (this includes attacks where the victim is punched, kicked etc.)

 if you knew that the person was going to use violence or knew they were carrying a weapon, even though you didn't agree to the attack or use of the weapon but remained as part of that group

Law information for our website came from the Metropolitan Police Website. Joint Enterprise information came from the BBC link below.:

http://safe.met.police.uk/knife_crime_and_gun_crime/consequences_and_the_law.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26721796