Laws on knives are changing

On 24 September 2024, the law on knives is changing. In an attempt to prevent knife crime, it will be against the law to possess in private (or public), own, manufacture, sell, supply or import knives of a specific description.

This includes bladed weapons which are described as follows:

•   A plain cutting edge
•   A sharp, pointed end, and
•   A blade of over 8 inches long

In addition to this, for the weapon to be banned, it must also have at least one of the following characteristics:

• A serrated cutting edge (other than a serrated cutting edge of up to 2 inches next to the handle); or
• More than one hole in the blade; or
• Spikes of more than two sharp points.

The government has announced a 28 day 'amnesty' starting from 26 August 2024, where owners will be able to surrender these weapons to the police before the legislation takes effect.

The changes to legislation, including the introduction of a new specific offence for 'private possession', mean a closing of loopholes under the current law. Until now, possessing knives of specific descriptions, or selling or manufacturing them, has not automatically been illegal - resulting in specific knives entering the streets without deterrent and law enforcement agencies taking their own steps to prohibit wider conduct - for example, by obtaining an injunction in the county court.

Frontline Resolution will be monitoring the effectiveness of the legislation and the new sentencing powers over the next 12 months in terms of its deterrent effect, and the courts approach to applying the law.

31 August 2024