Longer Prison Sentences for Knife Criminals
Friday, 02 October, 2009
More criminals are being given longer prison sentences for carrying a knife, according to new statistics published in September by the Ministry of Justice.
The figures show the number of offences dealt with involving knives has fallen,
and the proportion of those jailed has increased, while the number of cautions
given out has fallen.
For the period of April to June 2009 the average length of the prison sentence handed down for possessing a knife went up by 42% - from 137 days in the second quarter of 2008 to 194 days in the same period this year.
On average, there was a 32% increase in the number of prisoners serving a sentence
for a possession of an offensive weapon between the second quarter of 2008 and
the second quarter of 2009.
The statistics also show:
• A fall of 13% in the total number of offences involving possession of a knife or other offensive weapon dealt with - from 7,143 to 6,231, compared to the same period in 2008. This fall increases to 23% for youths aged between 10 and 17.
• The proportion of immediate custodial sentences given for possessing a knife
or offensive weapon increased from 17% of all sentences to one in five (19%)
between the second quarter of 2008 and the same period in 2009.
• The proportion of cautions for carrying a knife fell from 35% to 25% between the second quarter of 2008 and the same period this year.
Commenting on the statistics Policing Minister David Hanson said: "We are committed to tackling all forms of serious youth violence through a combination of education, intervention and enforcement.
These statistics send out a clear message that people who break the rules and continue to carry knives and offensive weapons will face tough penalties. More people are now going to prison for carrying weapons and sentences are longer than this time last year."
