This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Ban carrying all knives regardless of length in public and increase sentences
We want the Government to change the laws surrounding knifes. It is currently legal to have a knife of 3 inches that folds. This can still be a deadly weapon. We want carrying a knife, of any length, in public to be illegal, and sentences for illegal possession of a knife to be increased.
More details
After the death of my 18 year old son Cameron we believe it is increasingly clear that there are massive flaws in the laws surrounding knife crime. Knife crime offences are increasing and we believe not enough is being done to deter people from carrying, and that the sentences given do not reflect the value of human life that is lost almost daily due to knife crime. It is my hope that enough people can get behind this and we can collectively bring about a change to give justice to families like mine who have suffered an immeasurable loss, and to also try and prevent it happening to others.
This petition closed early because of a General Election Find out more on the Petitions Committee website
Government responded
This response was given on 30 October 2024
Knife crime ruins lives, and this Government is determined to act. Legislation is kept under review, but considering valid usages of such knives, a full ban is currently not considered proportionate.
We were deeply saddened to hear about the abhorrent circumstances in which Cameron was killed, and we would firstly like to express our deepest condolences to his family for their unimaginable loss.
The Government is committed to keeping legislation around possession of knives under close review, including specific types of bladed article, while also tackling the root causes of knife crime and preventing young people heading down this path.
Current legislation on possession includes the offence of having an article with a blade or point in a public place. The maximum penalty for this offence is 4 years’ imprisonment.
There is an exemption to this offence for small, non-locking, folding pocket knives with a cutting edge no longer than 3” (7.62cm). Small, non-locking, folding pocket knives are carried by many people for common everyday tasks. These types of knives are not designed for use as weapons, and if they are used in a stabbing motion, they tend to fold shut, causing injury to the fingers of the person holding the knife.
The legislation strikes a balance between enabling members of the public to have knives for legitimate everyday tasks, whilst giving the police and courts the powers to address criminality, and already providing an appropriate range of sentencing options for possession offences.
However, we keep legislation in this area under close review, and recently the Government took action to ban zombie-style knives and machetes, and this took effect on 24 September. It is now an offence to possess, supply, sell or manufacture these knives. The Government is also committed to introducing a ban on ninja swords and has just announced the start of the Review of Online Sales of Knives that is being led by a senior police officer, Commander Clayman from the Metropolitan Police.
We are also clear that we need to do more to prevent knife crime in the first place. On 9 September, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary convened the first annual Knife Crime Summit at Downing Street. At the Summit, the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime was launched. This Coalition brings together: police, education and other public services, sporting and other organisations, together with the young people who have been impacted by knife crime, their families and other campaigners. This Coalition will have access to experts, to build understanding of what drags young people into knife crime and inform future Government action. This marked the first step in the Government’s 10-year plan to tackle knife crime, as a central part of its mission to make our streets safe.
We will introduce a new Young Futures programme to stop young people being drawn into crime. It is vital we have a system that can identify and support those young people who need it most and we will be introducing Prevention Partnerships and Young Futures Hubs to help deliver this ambition.
Home Office