Knife Crime Uk
Knife crime statistics
Standard Note: Last updated: Author: Section SN/SG/4304 2 February 2011 Gavin Berman Social and General Statistics
The issue of knife related crime continues to be high on the political agenda due to a series of tragic knife related incidents. This note summarises the available statistics relating to knife crime. A Library note, Knives and offensive weapons, SN/HA/330, summarises the legislation which governs the carrying and sale of knives and other offensive weapons The Home Affairs Select Committee published Knife Crime in June 2009. This investigated levels and causes of knife crime, profiles and attitudes of offenders, and assessed effective solutions:
Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Summary Introduction Recorded crime British Crime Survey (BCS) Offending Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS) Proven offences and offenders Hospital admissions data 2 3 4 6 8 9 11
Standard Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of Parliament and their personal staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise others.
1
•
Summary
During the year to September 2011 there were approximately 32,500 recorded offences involving knives or other sharp instruments, accounting for 7% of selected offences and a similar level to the year earlier. With the exception of homicide the recorded crime statistics had not previously separately identify crimes involving knives. There were 232 homicides using a sharp instrument in 2009/10, accounting for 36% of all homicides. According to the British Crime Survey (BCS) in 2010/11 a knife was used in 6% of all BCS incidents of violence, similar to the previous year’s proportion. According to the 2006 Offending Crime and Justice Survey 3% of young people had carried a knife in the previous 12 months. Males were significantly more likely than females to have carried a knife (5% and 2% respectively). The peak age of knife carrying was 14 to 17
Standard Note: Last updated: Author: Section SN/SG/4304 2 February 2011 Gavin Berman Social and General Statistics
The issue of knife related crime continues to be high on the political agenda due to a series of tragic knife related incidents. This note summarises the available statistics relating to knife crime. A Library note, Knives and offensive weapons, SN/HA/330, summarises the legislation which governs the carrying and sale of knives and other offensive weapons The Home Affairs Select Committee published Knife Crime in June 2009. This investigated levels and causes of knife crime, profiles and attitudes of offenders, and assessed effective solutions:
Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Summary Introduction Recorded crime British Crime Survey (BCS) Offending Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS) Proven offences and offenders Hospital admissions data 2 3 4 6 8 9 11
Standard Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of Parliament and their personal staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise others.
1
•
Summary
During the year to September 2011 there were approximately 32,500 recorded offences involving knives or other sharp instruments, accounting for 7% of selected offences and a similar level to the year earlier. With the exception of homicide the recorded crime statistics had not previously separately identify crimes involving knives. There were 232 homicides using a sharp instrument in 2009/10, accounting for 36% of all homicides. According to the British Crime Survey (BCS) in 2010/11 a knife was used in 6% of all BCS incidents of violence, similar to the previous year’s proportion. According to the 2006 Offending Crime and Justice Survey 3% of young people had carried a knife in the previous 12 months. Males were significantly more likely than females to have carried a knife (5% and 2% respectively). The peak age of knife carrying was 14 to 17