Fewer people being jailed for knife crime, with children responsible for a fifth of offences

17 August 2023, 15:40 | Updated: 18 August 2023, 00:38

Police at the scene after a 41-year-old man was stabbed to death at a Birmingham bus stop
Police at the scene after a 41-year-old man was stabbed to death at a Birmingham bus stop. Picture: Alamy

By Fraser Knight

The rate of knife-wielding criminals being locked up for their offences is continuing to fall in England and Wales and is now at its lowest level since 2015.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that just 30% of 19,086 offences relating to knives over the past year resulted in a custodial sentence.

It adds to a falling rate over the past 5 years after it increased to some 38% before the pandemic began.

Over a fifth of knife crimes in the year to March were carried out by young people aged between 10 and 17.

More than 200 of those offences resulted in a child being put behind bars.

Read more: Girl, 10, cause of death 'still to be established' after body found in Woking house as hunt for trio continues

Read more: Man who kept flatmate's body in freezer for almost two years admits to using his bank cards before body was found

The government has promised to get tough on knife crime, as statistics revealed earlier this year that fatal stabbings in England and Wales are at their highest level since records began.

The Home Secretary has said she wants to see police officers make better use of stop and search powers.

Knife crime remains the most prevalent crime type in the country, with the 19,000 offences way ahead of the next highest figure of 4,109 motoring offences in the past year.

Drug offences, violence and theft reported the next highest number of crimes.

The average custodial sentence handed down by judges for knife crimes is increasing, though - in the year to March, it was 15 months.

That compares to an average of less than 11 months in 2017.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Pete Doherty of The Libertines has shared a worrying health update.

Pete Doherty risks having toes amputated in battle with Type 2 Diabetes, rock star tells fans in health update

£60 Million Worth of Watches Stolen in Britain Last Year Amid Rising Global Watch Crime

UK faces surge in luxury watch theft as stolen timepieces top £1.6 billion with £60 million taken in Britain last year alone

A graphic depiction of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, the two documentary makers behind the project are now facing criticism over the children featured.

BBC blasted for 'blindly spouting propaganda' over claims Gaza documentary features Hamas leader's son

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed

Mother of Southport attack victim praises local community as she speaks out for the first time since knife rampage

Price reduction. Shopping basket containing only reduced price food, England, UK

UK inflation rises to 3% as households feel the squeeze

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - February 18, 2025

ASAP Rocky embraces Rihanna as US rapper found not guilty of firing gun at former friend

Trump suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion as he calls on country to elect new leader

Trump demands Zelenskyy hold elections as he suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid