Knife crime is any crime that involves a knife or sharp instrument. Offences with a knife can include threatening people, a robbery or burglary, a murder or assault. Simply carrying a knife – even if you haven’t used it – is also considered a crime.
We Don’t Carry #LivesNotKnives is our anti-knife crime campaign that gives you the facts on the dangers of carrying knives. We want to let you know that it’s never too late to make a positive change.
If you carry a knife your future is at risk. Did you know that young people who carry a weapon are more likely to be hospitalised with an injury caused by violence? And there’s no ‘safe place’ to stab someone either. Any stab can be fatal and the consequences you could face with the police will be just as severe.
You may feel like you need to carry because of the places you go or people you hang out with, but according to statistics 99% of young people in England and Wales are living knife free today.
#KnifeFree – Kamakaze and Jake’s story
Hear from Leicester artists Jake and MC Kamakaze as they share their stories about goals and focussing on something you love to avoid being led into knife crime.
What does it mean for me?
Carrying a knife can mean four years in prison, even if you haven’t used it. Is it worth risking your freedom?
You can get a criminal record just for carrying a knife
Carrying a knife for self-protection is not an excuse, you can still get a criminal record.
Carrying a knife has consequences for the people around you. Your choices impact your friends and family too.
No parent or grandparent would ever want their child to go to prison, get injured or killed.
If you lose your life, get injured or go to prison, this can cause mental health problems for your brothers and sisters and put them at risk of taking the same path.
Statistics show that when you carry a knife for ‘protection’ you have a higher chance of being stabbed yourself.
Getting in trouble with the law can affect your job opportunities in the future, as employers may be less likely to hire someone with a criminal record.
You may be stopped from travelling and going on holiday, as countries like the USA and Canada may not allow someone with a criminal record to enter.
Joint enterprise is a section of the law which allows two or more people to be convicted of the same crime, potentially receiving the same sentence, even if they had differing levels of involvement.
The joint enterprise law is for circumstances where there is evidence to prove a group of people were involved in a crime, but where it is difficult to determine who is the main perpetrator.
Examples of how you could be charged for murder under ‘joint enterprise’ are if:
You were part of a group and someone in that group kills someone with a knife. This is the same for any other weapon or physical attack.
You were supporting the attacker’s actions in some way. This could be verbally by encouraging them or physically if you acted as a supportive presence.
You knew that the person who made the attack was going to start violence against the victim, and you did nothing to stop it.
Essentially if someone has ‘intentionally assisted and encouraged another to commit an offence’, they could be held accountable and both individuals could be convicted, even if it is not known who committed the crime and who was the ‘accessory.’
We don’t mean people who are happy all the time – we mean the ones that are a force for good in your life. Your friends should never pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.
Plan ahead
You may be put in a position where someone is trying to force you to carry a knife. Being prepared with a way to say no before you’re put on the spot could save you from spiralling into a dangerous situation.
Think about where you go
You probably know about the places in town or near your home or school that have a lot of conflict or violence. Stay away from them. If you’re not there, you can’t get caught up in whatever’s happening.
Find a new focus
Whether it’s a creative activity like making music, or something physical like boxing or football, finding something you enjoy doing will not only help you avoid dangerous situations, but you’ll be able to build new skills, meet different people, and pave the way for your bright future.
Support Links
There are lots of people out there to help and support you. Take a look at the below for more:
The Ben Kinsella Trust is one of the leading anti-knife crime charities in the UK, helping to create a society where no one suffers the loss of a life to knife crime.
Childline offers a safe and secure place for you to talk. They can help you with knife-related advice or any other worries you may have.
The Mix has advice on what to do if you feel you need to carry a knife.
No Knives Better Lives offers practical support and information on the effects of knife crime.
I want to get rid of my knife but am worried about what will happen to me. How do I do this?
You can find amnesty bins different police stations across the Leicester and Leicestershire area. These bins allow anybody to get rid of knives without the fear of being punished, unless it is found to have been used for a criminal act.
Amnesty bins can be found at the following stations:
Melton Mowbray Police Station, King St, Melton Mowbray LE13 1EE
Spinney Hill Police Station, East Park Road, Leicester LE5 5GY
Wigston Police Station, Bull Head St, Wigston LE18 1WX, UK
I’ve asked somebody to carry my knife for me, am I still liable for it?
Yes, you can still get into trouble even if you aren’t physically in possession of a knife or weapon. If you ask another person to carry, or hide a knife for you, you could be arrested and face up to four years in prison.
What’s the two strike rule?
This is a minimum custodial sentence for young people aged 16 or over who are convicted of a second offence of possessing an offensive weapon or bladed article.
I’m under 18. Can I still be punished under the two strike rule?
Yes. Under the two strike rule, young people aged 16-17 years old will receive a minimum of four months’ detention and training order. Young people aged 12-17 years old could receive a detention and training order of up to 24 months.
I’m at school and my teacher wants to search my bag. Are they allowed to do this?
A head teacher or other authorised member of staff of a school in England has the right to search you and your possessions, if they have reasonable grounds to think you may be carrying an offensive weapon.
If you are found guilty of carrying a knife in a public place, or on school premises, you could face up to four years in prison.
I carry a small folding knife, am I breaking the law?
No. You can carry a knife in public if it has a folding blade that is 3 inches (7.62cm) or less in length. But if this, or any other knife, is used to threaten or intimidate it’s considered an offensive weapon.
Remember, lock knives are not classed as folding knives and are illegal to carry in public.
