This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

Rejected petition Increase maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife to 7 years in prison.

Currently the maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is 4 years in prison and an unlimited fine. You’ll get a prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife more than once. Change this offence to 7 years in prison on first offence of carrying a knife.

More details

Knife crime in the U.K. has risen year on year. Many children's and young adults lives have been cut short from knife crime. The law is too weak allowing a person to get caught carrying a knife without a prison sentence. The law needs to change so that anyone carrying a knife without a police permit serves a minimum of 7 years in prison. New police knife permits should be issued to people who have to legally carry a knife for their work or trade. These knife permits have to be renewed yearly.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do. We're not sure if you want a minimum or maximum sentence.

You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.