Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: July to September 2022
Trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
Contents
2. Knife and offensive weapon offences overview
5. Sentencing for repeat convictions of possession of a knife or offensive weapon
7. Future publications and contact details for any queries or feedback
This publication presents key statistics describing the trends in the number of offenders receiving cautions and convictions for
-
possession of an article with a blade or point
-
possession of an offensive weapon, or
-
threatening with either type of weapon
in England and Wales. Please note that cases still awaiting final decisions are no longer accounted for using estimation methodology. These are generally cases in the latest periods and are now counted as ‘other’ disposals until final decisions are made unless separately specified.
Accompanying files
As well as this bulletin, the following products are published as part of this release:
-
ODS format tables containing data on knife or offensive weapon offences up to the end of September 2022
-
An interactive table tool to look at previous offences involving possession of a blade, point or offensive weapon. The tool provides further breakdowns by gender, police identified ethnicity and prosecuting police force area. The data used in the tool is also included as a separate csv file.
-
An interactive Sankey diagram looking at outcomes for offenders sentenced for these offences by whether or not they have a previous conviction or caution for possession of a blade, point or offensive weapon; which includes breakdowns by gender, age group and offence type.
This publication covers the period from year ending September 2012 to year ending September 2022. In the last three years of this period the work of the courts has been impacted by the restrictions imposed in response to the COVID pandemic, such as court closures and subsequent backlogs, and also industrial action by criminal barristers taking place between April 2022 and September 2022. This should be borne in mind when making comparisons.
Main points
| Point | Change | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| The number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) has decreased since year ending September 2021 but is still higher than at the very start of the pandemic. | Decrease | In year ending September 2022 19,378 knife and offensive weapon offences were formally dealt with by the CJS. This is a decrease of 5% since year ending September 2021, but is 6% higher than in year ending September 2020 which includes the lockdown at the very start of the pandemic. |
| The proportion of offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence remained stable at 30% between year ending September 2021 and year ending September 2022. | No Change | This had been broadly stable at around 36%-39% between year ending September 2017 and year ending September 2020 but dropped to 30% in year ending September 2021 and remained stable over the following year. In this period there was a corresponding increase in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence. |
| For 70% of offenders this was their first knife or offensive weapon offence. | Decrease | The proportion of offenders for whom this is their first knife or offensive weapon offence has been decreasing over the last decade, from 76% in year ending September 2012 to 70% in year ending September 2022 but has been roughly stable since year ending September 2017. |
| The average custodial sentence received by offenders sentenced for convictions under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 was 7.6 months in year ending September 2022. | Increase | This is slightly higher than in year ending September 2021 (7.4 months) but was 0.2 months lower than in year ending September 2019, the last whole 12-month period before the pandemic. |
1. Statistician’s comment
Figures in this publication cover the period to year ending September 2022. Please note figures from 2020 onwards have been impacted from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which includes the impact of lockdowns, changes to court arrangements (such as court closures, pauses to jury trials, remote hearings), the re-opening of courts and the types of cases which were prioritised. Figures from April 2022 are also likely to be impacted from the Criminal Bar Association action. Latest Criminal Court Statistics show an increased volume of outstanding cases, particularly at Crown Court which increased by 6% since the previous quarter with the median average age of all outstanding cases increasing by 7% in the Q3 2022.
Over the most recent year, the number of knife and offensive weapon cases dealt with decreased by 5% to 19,378, but this was still higher than the first partial year impacted by the pandemic (6% higher than year ending September 2020). The reduction in the recent number of cases is possibly, at least in part, due to the Criminal Bar Association action. Prior to the pandemic there had been an increasing trend. Between year ending September 2014 and year ending September 2019 the number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the Criminal Justice System increased by 39% from 16,224 to 22,495. However, in year ending September 2020 the number of offences dealt with then fell by 19% as restrictions were imposed in response to the pandemic. The number of offences increased by 11% in year ending September 2021 compared with year ending September 2020 as the number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the Criminal Justice System began showing signs of recovery.
The proportion of offenders receiving immediate custody remained at the same level seen in year ending September 2021 (30%). This was previously around 36%-39% between year ending September 2017 to year ending September 2020. A corresponding increase is evident in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence (25% in year ending September 2022, up from 20% in year ending September 2020). It is likely this has been affected by changes since the pandemic.
2. Knife and offensive weapon offences overview
The number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) has decreased since year ending September 2021 but is still higher than at the very start of the pandemic.
In year ending September 2022 19,378 knife and offensive weapon offences were formally dealt with by the CJS. This is a decrease of 5% since year ending September 2021, but is 6% higher than in year ending September 2020 which includes the lockdown at the very start of the pandemic.
Figure 1: Knife and offensive weapon offences by offence type, England and Wales, annually from year ending September 2012 (Source: Table 1a)
In April to June 2020, the first quarter affected by COVID-19 restrictions, there was a 52% fall in the number of offences dealt with compared to the same quarter in 2019: from 5,730 to 2,776. This went back up to 5,408 in Q3 2020 but has generally fallen again since then. In July to September 2022 there were 4,739 cases dealt with, 2% lower than in the same quarter of 2021.
Figure 1 shows that the previous increase between year ending September 2014 and year ending September 2019 was driven by possession of an article with a blade or point offences, which increased 49% over the period, compared to 16% for possession of offensive weapon offences. In year ending September 2020 there was a decrease for all three offence types in the number of offences dealt with as the work of courts was restricted by lockdown measures imposed at the start of the pandemic. Possession of blade or point offences then increased the most between year ending September 2020 and year ending September 2021 as things reopened (13% compared to 8% for possession of offensive weapon offences), and decreased the least over the latest year (2% compared to 8% for possession of offensive weapon offences).
The changes in possession of blade or point offences, as described above, means that this offence type now accounts for a bigger proportion of knife and offensive weapon offences. In year ending September 2022 possession of blade or point offences accounted for just over two thirds (68%) of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with compared to 56% in year ending September 2012, while possession of offensive weapon offences accounted for 30% of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with in year ending September 2022 compared to 44% in year ending September 2012.
The recent police recorded crime figures published by the ONS showed a 21% increase in the number of knife and offensive weapon offences recorded from 37,706 in year ending September 2021 to 45,639 in year ending September 2022. The increase over the latest year may reflect an increase in police activity following the pandemic. Information published by the Home Office on “Crime outcomes in England and Wales” show that 43% of these offences resulted in a charge or police caution in the year ending March 2022. This is down from 50% in year ending March 2021.
3. Sentencing
The proportion of offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence remained stable at 30% between year ending September 2021 and year ending September 2022.
This had been broadly stable at around 36%-39% between year ending September 2017 and year ending September 2020 but dropped to 30% in year ending September 2021 and remained stable over the following year. In this period there was a corresponding increase in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence.
Figure 2: Knife and offensive weapon offences by disposal type, England and Wales, annually from year ending September 2012 (Source: Table 1)
Between year ending September 2012 and year ending September 2017 there was an increase in the proportion of offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence, from 28% to 36%, which remained broadly stable at around 36% to 39% until year ending September 2020 before falling to 30% in both year ending September 2021 and year ending September 2022. It is likely this has been affected by changes during the pandemic, and the types of cases prioritised through the courts. This will continue to be assessed as court activity recovers.
The proportion of adults receiving an immediate custody followed a similar trend and has remained stable at 36% over the last two years. For 10-17 year olds, immediate custody fell from 12% in year ending September 2019 to 6% in year ending September 2021, and remained at 6% in the latest year.
The chart also shows that between year ending September 2020 and year ending September 2022 there was a corresponding increase in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence (20% to 25%). In year ending September 2022 suspended sentence became the second most common disposal, although the picture for this year could potentially change as cases referred to the Crown Court for sentencing receive final decisions. The proportion of offenders who received a caution generally decreased between year ending September 2012 and year ending September 2016 but has remained broadly stable between 12% and 13% since then.
Over the long-term, average custodial sentence length has generally increased, particularly for adults and possession of blade and point offences. However, between year ending September 2019 and year ending September 2021 the average custodial sentence length for both possession of an article with a blade or point and possession of an offensive weapon decreased and became more similar; possession of blade or point offences from 7.2 months in year ending September 2019 to 7.1 months and possession of offensive weapon offences from 8.1 months to 7.0 months. In year ending September 2022 average custodial sentence length for possession of blade or point offences increased again to 7.4 months, the highest in the series; while average custodial sentence length for possession of offensive weapon offences increased, but only to 7.3 months, and remained lower than before the pandemic. Average custodial sentence length for threatening offences has been over 13 months since year ending September 2020, but at 13.8 months in year ending September 2022 this was the highest level since threatening offences were introduced in December 2012.
Average custodial sentence length for adults increased from 7.2 months in year ending September 2012 to 7.7 months in year ending September 2022, whilst average custodial sentence length for 10-17 year olds generally decreased from 8.0 months in year ending September 2012 to 7.2 months in year ending September 2022, though figures for 10-17 year olds are more volatile with a smaller number of cases.
4. Offending History
For 70% of offenders this was their first knife or offensive weapon offence.
The proportion of offenders for whom this is their first knife or offensive weapon offence has been decreasing over the last decade, from 76% in year ending September 2012 to 70% in year ending September 2022 but has been roughly stable since year ending September 2017.
The decrease in the proportion of first-time knife and offensive weapon offenders has been seen for both adults and juveniles, with the proportion for adults decreasing from 73% to 67% between year ending September 2012 and year ending September 2022 and the proportion for 10- to 17-year-olds decreasing from 89% to 81% over the same period.
Figure 3: Number of previous cautions or convictions for the possession of a knife or offensive weapon offence for offenders cautioned or convicted for a knife or offensive weapon offence, England and Wales, annually from year ending September 2012 (Source: Interactive Pivot Table Tool)
Figure 3 shows the number of cautions or convictions for a knife or offensive weapon offence, broken down by the number of cautions or convictions the offender had previously received for a knife or offensive weapon offence. Whilst the number of offenders with no previous knife and offensive weapon offence rose year on year between year ending September 2013 and year ending September 2019 (ending on 14,479), this made up a smaller proportion of offenders (as described above). The number of offenders with no previous knife and offensive weapon offence fell to 11,782 in year ending September 2020, when fewer cases were dealt with, before rising again. Although there was a subsequent decrease between year ending September 2021 and year ending September 2022 the number of offenders with no previous cautions or convictions for a knife or offensive weapon offence was 12,331, higher than in year ending September 2020.
A similar pattern can be seen in the number of offenders who have at least one previous knife or offensive weapon offence. A rise between year ending September 2014 to year ending September 2019, a fall to year ending September 2020, followed by increases over the next two years to year ending September 2022.
5.Sentencing for repeat convictions of possession of a knife or offensive weapon
A court must impose a minimum custodial sentence on an offender who has been convicted of a second or subsequent offence of possession of a knife or offensive weapon, unless it would not be in the interest of justice to do so. The minimum sentence provisions were first introduced in 2015 by Section 28 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (CJCA), but have since been repealed and replaced by Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020.
The minimum sentence for an adult is 6 months imprisonment, and for a 16-17 year old a 4 month Detention and Training Order. The court may reduce the sentence which would otherwise have met the minimum for an early guilty plea.
The average custodial sentence received by offenders sentenced for convictions under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 was 7.6 months in year ending September 2022.
This is slightly higher than in year ending September 2021 (7.4 months) but was 0.2 months lower than in year ending September 2019, the last whole 12-month period before the pandemic.
Figure 4: Knife and offensive weapons possession sentencing occasions for adult repeat offenders, by disposal type, annually from year ending September 2017 (Source: Table 7)
In year ending September 2022 around three fifths (62%) of adult offenders sentenced under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 received an immediate custodial sentence. This has dropped from 71% in year ending September 2020 but levels remain similar to year ending September 2021. Overall, 85% of adult offenders sentenced under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 in year ending September 2022 received some form of custodial sentence, either immediate custody or a suspended sentence, with 24% receiving a suspended sentence. The proportion receiving a suspended sentence increased from 19% in year ending September 2020 to 24% in year ending September 2021 and remained stable over the following year, reflecting the picture for all knife and offensive weapons offences dealt with.
Please note, however, that year ending September 2022 has a much higher number of cases referred to the Crown Court and awaiting sentencing than previous years and the picture for this year is more subject to change when these cases receive final decisions.
For 16- and 17-year olds, in year ending September 2022 32% of offenders sentenced under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 received an immediate custodial sentence. The proportion of 16-17-year-old offenders dealt with under the legislation receiving an immediate custodial sentence fell from 42% in year ending September 2020 to 31% in year ending September 2021 but was broadly stable over the past year. By contrast, the proportion of 16- and 17-year olds receiving a community sentence increased from 47% in year ending September 2020 to 60% in year ending September 2021, and only decreased 2 percentage points to 58% in year ending September 2022. Please note, however, that for this age group a discount for an early guilty plea will lead to a non-custodial sentence as 4 months is the minimum period of custody given to under 18s.
6. Further information
The data presented in this publication are provisional and updated in each publication. Figures provided for more recent quarters are subject to change in future publications as ongoing cases pass through the Criminal Justice System.
A technical guide provides further information on how the data is collected and processed, as well as information on the revisions policy and legislation relevant to knife and offensive weapon sentencing.
Official Statistics status
Official statistics are produced under the remit of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They are produced impartially and are free from political influence. More information can be found on the UK Statistics Authority website
7. Future publications
Next update: 18 May 2023
Our statisticians regularly review the content of publications. Development of new and improved statistical outputs is usually dependent on reallocating existing resources. As part of our continual review and prioritisation, we welcome user feedback on existing outputs including content, breadth, frequency and methodology. Please send any comments you have on this publication including suggestions for further developments or changes in content.
Contact
Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office:
Tel: 020 3334 3536
Email: newsdesk@justice.gov.uk
Other enquiries about, or feedback on, these statistics should be directed to the Data and Analysis division of the Ministry of Justice:
Fazeen Khamkar,
Ministry of Justice,
102 Petty France,
London,
SW1H 9AJ
Email: statistics.enquiries@justice.gov.uk
© Crown copyright Produced by the Ministry of Justice. Alternative formats are available on request from statistics.enquiries@justice.gov.uk
8. Pre-release access
The bulletin was produced and handled by the ministry’s analytical professionals and production staff. Prior to publication pre-release access of up to 24 hours was granted to the following persons:
Ministry of Justice:
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – covering sentencing; Permanent Secretary; Minister and Permanent Secretary Private Secretaries (3); Special Advisors (2); Head of Custodial Sentencing Policy Unit; Senior Policy Advisor, Custodial Sentencing Policy Unit; Head of Youth Justice Policy; Head of News and relevant press officers (3).
Home Office:
Home Secretary; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Crime and Policing; Minister Private Secretaries (2); Special Advisors (1); Head of Knife Crime Team; Policy Advisor, Serious Violence Unit; and relevant press officers (1).
Cabinet Office:
Senior Delivery Analyst, Number 10 Delivery Unit.