Introduce 5yr Minimum Sentence for unlawfully carrying a Knife 3yrs Juveniles

We've a knife crime epidemic with too many people carrying knives in public; As a serving police officer I tackled many offenders carrying a knife & once almost lost my life when stabbed in chest arresting a burglar; too many parents are planning funerals instead of bright futures for their children

We want the GOVT to introduce minimum sentences in order to act as a deterrent for carrying knives & blades in public; Knife homicides far outnumber gun homicides; yet carry a gun there is a 5 year Minimum sentence but carrying a Knife its often a community sentence. We believe communities live in fear of Knife crime & it has become a scourge on society and needs to be dealt with as a serious Health issue and a National Emergency as it is affecting the fabric of society & too often involving children.

Knife crime has destroyed far too many lives. That is why, as part of the Safer Streets mission, this Government is working to halve knife crime within a decade. We have a comprehensive, data-led and Government-wide approach to this goal.

The Government is not planning to introduce minimum sentences of 5 years for adults and 3 years for young people aged under 18, for carrying a knife.

Minimum sentences are rare in England and Wales. It is the function of the court to decide the sentence in each case subject to the maximum that Parliament has provided, and any relevant sentencing guidelines published by the Sentencing Council. Sentencing must also be proportionate to the offence committed, taking into account all the circumstances of each case.

The maximum penalty for carrying a knife is 4 years imprisonment. In recognition of the seriousness of offences related to knives, the law already provides for minimum custodial sentences for repeat knife possession and offences that involve threatening with a weapon. Adults face a minimum of 6 months imprisonment whilst young people aged 16 or 17 face a four-month Detention and Training Order.

Where someone is actually harmed by a knife or offensive weapon, there are a range of offences that they may be charged with, such as causing grievous bodily harm. These can result in lengthy sentences, up to life imprisonment. Murder is a very serious crime which carries a mandatory life sentence. This is the same for any murder, including those involving knives or guns.

In recognition of the importance of tackling knife crime, the Government’s manifesto committed to ensuring that every young person caught in possession of a knife would be referred to a Youth Justice Service and receive a mandatory plan to prevent reoffending. We are taking a significant step towards delivering this manifesto commitment and will shortly be publishing tough new guidance that sets out our expectations on how the police and Youth Justice Services should respond to knife possession offences committed by children.