Knife possession sentencing quarterly bulletin, April to June 2013
Source: data.gov.uk (2018-05-25)

Knife Possession Sentencing Statistics. This series of publications contain key statistics describing trends in cautioning and sentencing, probation supervision and the prison population for offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon in England and Wales.

Knife Possession Sentencing 
Quarterly Brief 
April to June 2013 
England and Wales 
 
Ministry of Justice 
Statistics Bulletin 
 
 
Published 19 September 2013 
 

Contents  
 
Contents 
 
 
2 
Introduction 
 
 
3 
Key Findings 
 
 
5 
Appendix A: Statistical Tables 
 
 
11 
Explanatory notes 
 
 
21 
Glossary 
 
 
23 
Contacts 
 
 
26 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

Introduction 
This bulletin presents key statistics describing the trends in cautioning and 
sentencing, probation supervision and the prison population for possession of a knife 
or offensive weapon in England and Wales. This bulletin does not cover all knife 
crimes (offences involving a knife) as published by the Office for National Statistics1. 
Details of other official statistics publications regarding knife related statistics can be 
found on page 26 of this bulletin.  
The information presented combines both offences of possession of an article with a 
blade or point and offences of possession of an offensive weapon (which could be a 
knife). The detailed offence codes used in this bulletin are outlined in the glossary 
section.  
Also included in this bulletin for the first time are the recently introduced offences of 
aggravated possession of a knife or offensive weapon. These are included in their 
own separate table and are not included in other totals to enable consistent 
comparisons over time. 
 
Recent Developments  
 New Offence of aggravated knife Possession (Table 8, page 17) 
From 3 December 2012, new offences of aggravated knife possession came into 
force as part of the provisions introduced in the Legal Aid Sentencing and 
Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012. Initial disposals given for offenders 
dealt with against these new offences are included for the first time within this 
bulletin. 
 Methodological change introduced in Q4 2012 
From the fourth quarter of 2012 the figures presented in this bulletin were based on 
new estimates of the number and breakdown of disposals given for the possession of 
a knife or an offensive weapon. The estimates were introduced following a detailed 
analysis that tracked changes in the disposal figures from those initially published for 
each quarter to those released over the following year as data held on the PNC was 
updated with new information.    
The background to and methodology used to derive these estimates was published 
in the previous release of this bulletin –  click here for link  – and we will continue to 
monitor the methodology use to estimate the final disposal outcomes in future 
editions to this bulletin to ensure that the estimated figures are realistic. 
 
                                            
1 www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/period-ending-march-2013/stb-crime--period-ending-march-
2013.html#tab-Offences-involving-knives-and-sharp-instruments  
 
3

This statistical brief, along with the full tables (including both current and estimated 
figures) are available from the Ministry of Justice Website at: 
www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/knife-possession 
 
The key events that might be expected to affect the statistics were: 
 On 21 May 2008, the Court of Appeal issued the judgment in Povey2 that said, 
because of prevalence, magistrates should normally sentence those convicted of 
knife crime possession offences at the top end of the range. 
 
 The Sentencing Guidelines Council issued an update to the magistrates’ courts 
guidelines, with effect from 4 August 2008, which set out the effect of the Court of 
Appeal judgment and made it clear that the starting point for the lowest level of 
knife possession amongst adults should be 12 weeks’ custody. 
 
 This applies in cases where a first time offender pleads not guilty to possession of 
a knife in non-dangerous circumstances. A guilty plea would attract a discount in 
the normal way, as would any personal mitigation, and could take the sentence 
below the custody threshold. 
 
 Since September 2008 all probation areas have been able to provide intensive 
delivery of 300 hour Community Payback sentences for unemployed offenders 
convicted of knife crime offences, who are on the brink of custody. In January 
2009 this offer of intensive delivery of a minimum of 18 hours per week over three 
days was extended to Community Payback sentences of any length imposed for 
an offence of knife crime, when an offender is unemployed. 
 
 From 3 December 2012, a new offence of aggravated knife possession came into 
force. Anyone aged 16 or over who uses a knife or offensive weapon to threaten 
and endanger others will face a mandatory custodial sentence, unless the court 
considers there to be particular circumstances which would make it unjust to do 
so.3 
 
This publication has been prepared by Justice Statistics Analytical Services. If you 
have any feedback, questions or request for further information about these statistics, 
please direct them to the appropriate contact given at the end of this report. 
 
 
                                            
2 Povey & Ors, R. v, Court of Appeal - Criminal Division, May 21, 2008, [2008] EWCA Crim 1261. 
3 For legislation, see:  www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/10/contents/enacted  
 
4

Key findings  
Estimates indicate that the final disposal figures for Q2 2013 will show:  
 Exactly 4,000 disposals were given for possession of a knife or an offensive 
weapon, 6% lower than in Q2 2012. The latest result continues the downward 
trend for the number of cautions or convictions given for these offences over the 
last four years. The number of disposals for possession offences is now 44% 
lower than in Q2 2008. 
 Over 5 times as many adults offenders (3,364) were cautioned or convicted for 
possession offences than juveniles offenders (636) - a ratio that has generally 
been increasing over the last 4 years as the number of juveniles cautioned or 
convicted has fallen at a faster rate than for adults. Since Q2 2012, the number of 
disposals given to juveniles for possession offences dropped by 13%  while, for 
adults, the number fell by 5% 
 
 
Figure 1: Number of disposals given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession by age, in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q2 2013 
 
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
Q1
2008
Q2
2008
Q3
2008
Q4
2008
Q1
2009
Q2
2009
Q3
2009
Q4
2009
Q1
2010
Q2
2010
Q3
2010
Q4
2010
Q1
2011
Q2
2011
Q3
2011
Q4
2011
Q1
2012
Q2
2012
Q3
2012
Q4
2012
Q1
2013
Q2
2013
N um be r of disposals
Total number of disposals
Adults (aged 18 and over)
Juveniles (aged 10 to 17)
Total estimated 
Adult estimated
Juvenile estimated
  
 
 The most common disposals for possession of a knife or an offensive weapon 
were a community sentence (28%) and an immediate custodial sentence (27% 
cent).    
 The proportion of possession offences resulting in community sentences and 
immediate custody sentences has remained fairly steady over the last year with 
neither changing by more than 1 percentage point in the last four quarters. In the 
same time period the proportion of cautions has declined by 4 percentage points 
to 17%, its lowest point over the last 5 years. Offsetting this, the proportion of 
offences resulting in suspended sentences has increased by 4 percentage points 
to 16%. However, figures for the latest quarter are estimated so may change 
slightly once final outcomes are known.  
 
5

 Over the longer term, the proportion of possession offences resulting in an 
immediate custody has increased since 2007 - particularly during 2008 when 
changes were made to the sentencing guidelines for knife possession as outlined 
earlier in this bulletin. Contrasting to this, the proportion of possession offences 
resulting in a police caution has fallen since the end of 2007.  
 
Figure 2: Proportion of type of disposal given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q2 2013 
 
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Q1 2008
Q2 2008
Q3 2008
Q4 2008
Q1 2009
Q2 2009
Q3 2009
Q4 2009
Q1 2010
Q2 2010
Q3 2010
Q4 2010
Q1 2011
Q2 2011
Q3 2011
Q4 2011
Q1 2012
Q2 2012
Q3 2012
Q4 2012
Q1 2013
Q2 2013
Proportion of all disposals
Caution
Community sentence
Suspended sentence
Immediate custody
All other disposal
Caution estimate
Community sentence estimate
Suspended sentence estimate
Immediate custody estimate
All other disposal estimate
 
 
 
 
 Over half of all juveniles (52%) receiving disposals for possession offences were 
given a community sentence, while just over a quarter (27%) were given a 
reprimand or a warning. For juvenile offenders, 13% were given an immediate 
custodial sentence, up 2 percentage points since Q2 2012 and the highest 
proportion seen over the last 5 years. The proportion of juveniles given 
reprimands or warnings has decreased by 4 percentage points over the last year 
and is now 20 percentage points lower than in Q2 2008. 
 Amongst adult offenders, nearly a third were given an immediate custodial 
sentence (30%), the same proportion as last year but significantly higher than 5 
years ago (25%). Proportions of cautions have fallen in the last year - with 16% of 
adults given a caution in Q2 2013 compared to 19% in Q2 2012.  
 
6

Figure 3:  Proportion of type of disposal given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession for juveniles and adults, in England and Wales, Q2 2012 and Q2 
2013 
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Juvenile
Q2 2012
Juvenile
Q2 2013
Adult
Q2 2012
Adult
Q2 2013
Proportion
Caution
Community sentence
Suspended sentence
Immediate custody
All other disposals
  
 The types of disposal given for possession are correlated with the number of 
previous possession offences offenders have been convicted or cautioned for. 
For offenders with no previous offences for possession of a knife or offensive 
weapon, 25% received a caution in the 12 months ending June 2013 whereas 
30% received a community sentence and 19% were given immediate custody. 
However, for offenders with at least one previous possession offence on their 
record, 43% were sentenced to immediate custody in the 12 months ending 
June 2013, while only 3% received a caution.  
 Juvenile offenders having more than one previous knife possession offence on 
their record are most likely to receive a community sentence (60%) or 
immediate custody (26%). Only 3% of those juvenile offenders with one 
previous offence received a reprimand or warning. 
 The custody rate of adult offenders rises in relation with their number of 
previous possession offences, with 56% of those offenders with 3 or more 
previous offences receiving an immediate custody sentence compared to 22% 
for those with no previous possession offence. 
 
7

Figure 4: Number of previous convictions or cautions for the possession of a 
knife or offensive weapon for offenders convicted or cautioned for the 
possession offences, in England and Wales in the 12 months ending June 2013 
Disposal for offenders with no previous 
offences for knife possession
Caution
25%
Discharges
3%
Fine
5%
Comm Pen
30%
Fully Susp
13%
Imd Cust
19%
Other
5%
  
Disposal for offenders with one or more 
previous offences for knife possession
Caution
3%
Comm Pen
24%
Fully Susp
18%
Imd Cust
43%
Other
5%
Discharges
3%
Fine
4%
 
 
 
 Immediate custodial sentences given for possession offences were for 209 days, 
or 6.9 months, on average. This is 9% shorter than average sentence lengths 
given in Q2 2012 (230 days) and is the first time for 2 years that the average has 
decreased on the equivalent quarter a year earlier. Over the longer term, 
however, average sentence lengths for possession offences are around 58% or 
over 2 and a half months, longer than they were at the end of 2007. 
 
 
 
 927 offenders started a court order under probation supervision for possession 
offences. This is down 1% from Q2 2012 and 21% from Q2 2011. These 
changes reflect the general trends in the number of possession offences dealt 
with over the period. 
 
 
8

Figure 5: Number of offenders commencing a court order under probation 
supervision for possession of an offensive weapon, in England and Wales from 
Q1 2008 to Q2 2013 
 
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2008 Q1
2008 Q2
2008 Q3
2008 Q4
2009 Q1
2009 Q2
2009 Q3
2009 Q4
2010 Q1
2010 Q2
2010 Q3
2010 Q4
2011 Q1
2011 Q2
2011 Q3
2011 Q4
2012 Q1
2012 Q2
2012 Q3
2012 Q4
2013 Q1
2013 Q2
Number of Probation supervision Court order starts
Pre Criminal Justice Act (CJA) orders
Suspended sentence order
Community order
 
 The most common requirement placed on offenders starting court orders for 
possession offences was supervision - 38% of suspended sentence orders 
(SSOs) and 34% of community orders (COs). The proportion of offenders placed 
on the requirement to carry out unpaid work was lower - 24% of SSOs and 30% of 
COs, respectively. The use of unpaid work as a requirement has fallen over 
recent years – down 3 percentage points since Q2 2011 for both SSOs and COs . 
 Where unpaid work requirements were placed upon those starting a community 
order for possession offences, 35% were for less than 80 hours and 40% were for 
81 to 150 hours. For those starting suspended sentence orders, 17% were for 
under 80 hours and 55% were for 81 to 150 hours. 
 
 417 offenders were in prison serving a sentence for possession of an offensive 
weapon on 28 June 2013, down 21% from 530 a year ago and continuing the 
reductions seen in the prison population for this offence since early 2009. This 
trend comes despite the generally increasing use and length of custodial 
sentences for possession offences, and is likely to be primarily related to the 
reductions in the total number of offences dealt with over the period. 
 
 
9

Figure 6: Prison population under sentence for possession of an offensive 
weapon4 (excludes recalls) in England and Wales, between 2008 and June 2013 
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Jan-08
Apr-08
Jul-08
Oct-08
Jan-09
Apr-09
Jul-09
Oct-09
Jan-10
Apr-10
Jul-10
Oct-10
Jan-11
Apr-11
Jul-11
Oct-11
Jan-12
Apr-12
Jul-12
Oct-12
Jan-13
Apr-13
Due to technical problems relating to the supply of statistical information, it is not possible to provide figures from July 2009 to March 2010
Number of prisoners under immediate custodial sentence
2009
2010
2013
2012
2011
2008
 
 
New aggravated knife or offensive weapon possession offences:  
 At present, a total of 63 offenders (22 juveniles, 41 adults) have been dealt with in 
relation to one of the new aggravated knife possession offences that came into 
effect from 3 December 2012. 
 
 Of the 22 juveniles, 12 offenders were aged between 10 and 15 when sentenced 
(sentencing guidelines differ for these age bands as explained on the last bullet 
point on page 4).  
 
 Of the 51 cases involving the new offence of aggravated knife possession where 
offenders were aged 16 and over, 25 offenders or 49% have received a custodial 
sentence. Please note however that these figures are provisional and are likely to 
change significantly, particularly with the immediate custodial sentences likely to 
rise, once further sentences have been finalised. 
 
 
                                            
4 Includes having an article with a blade or a point. 
 
10

Appendix A: Statistical Tables 
Table 1: Offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence, in England and Wales 
England and Wales1
5,330
5,146
4,257
4,442
3,971
3,811
4,000
-6%
Caution2
1,209
1,153
910
858
762
684
696
-24%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
235
184
138
176
114
131
118
-14%
Fine
205
225
186
190
152
170
185
-1%
Community sentence
1,640
1,556
1,175
1,219
1,116
1,026
1,126
-4%
Suspended sentence
659
565
529
570
532
577
622
18%
Immediate custody
1,158
1,270
1,139
1,226
1,123
1,072
1,080
-5%
Other disposal3
224
193
180
203
172
151
173
-4%
Caution2
23%
22%
21%
19%
19%
18%
17%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4%
4%
3%
4%
3%
3%
3%
Fine
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
5%
Community sentence
31%
30%
28%
27%
28%
27%
28%
Suspended sentence
12%
11%
12%
13%
13%
15%
16%
Immediate custody
22%
25%
27%
28%
28%
28%
27%
Other disposal3
4%
4%
4%
5%
4%
4%
4%
Data Source and Quality
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
percentage of total offences
Q2 2010
Q2 2011
Q4 2012 E
Q1 2013 E
Number of offences and percentage change
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.  
The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes available.
E Denotes where estimated figures have been used. The estimates are based on historical data changes. Please see explanatory notes of bulletin for further details.
2 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions
Disposal Category
% change, 
Q2 2012 to 
estimated Q2 2013
Q2 2012
Q2 2013 E
Q3 2012 E
Number of offences
3  Represent cases where an offender may have been convicted, but is awaiting further sentencing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11

Table 2: Offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence by age group, in England and Wales 
Aged 10 to 17
1,129
979
731
697
662
628
636
-13%
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions1
363
291
227
195
175
200
174
-23%
Absolute/conditional discharge
23
24
9
11
14
19
16
*
Fine
4
3
2
0
1
1
3
*
Community sentence
594
523
380
383
347
318
330
-13%
Immediate custody
99
111
79
78
78
61
84
6%
Other disposal3
46
27
34
30
47
29
29
*
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions1
32%
30%
31%
28%
26%
32%
27%
Absolute/conditional discharge
2%
2%
1%
2%
2%
3%
3%
Fine
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Community sentence
53%
53%
52%
55%
52%
51%
52%
Immediate custody
9%
11%
11%
11%
12%
10%
13%
Other disposal3
4%
3%
5%
4%
7%
5%
5%
Aged 18 and over
4,200
4,165
3,525
3,745
3,309
3,183
3,364
-5%
Caution
846
862
683
663
587
484
522
-24%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
212
160
129
165
100
112
102
-21%
Fine
201
222
184
190
151
169
182
-1%
Community sentence
1,046
1,032
794
836
769
708
796
0%
Suspended sentence
658
564
529
570
532
577
622
18%
Immediate custody
1,059
1,159
1,060
1,148
1,045
1,011
996
-6%
Other disposal3
178
166
146
173
125
122
144
-1%
Caution
20%
21%
19%
18%
18%
15%
16%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
4%
3%
Fine
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
Community sentence
25%
25%
23%
22%
23%
22%
24%
Suspended sentence
16%
14%
15%
15%
16%
18%
18%
Immediate custody
25%
28%
30%
31%
32%
32%
30%
Other disposal3
4%
4%
4%
5%
4%
4%
4%
Data Source and Quality
1  Since April 8th 2013 youth cautions were introduced replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders
3  Represent cases where an offender may have been convicted, but is awaiting further sentencing
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.  
The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes available.
2 The difference between the totals in Table 1 and the adult/juvenile breakdowns is where there is no age recorded on the system.  For  Q1 2011 five offenders had no age recorded. Two 
people receiving a caution, one person receiving a custodial sentence, 
E Denotes where estimated figures have been used. The estimates are based on historical data changes. Please see explanatory notes of bulletin for further details.
Q3 2012 E
Q4 2012 E
Q1 2013 E
Disposal Category
Q2 2010
Q2 2013 E
Number of offences and percentages
% change, 
Q2 2012 to 
estimated 
Q2 2013
Q2 2011
Q2 2012
Number of offences
percentage of total offences
Number of offences
percentage of total offences
 
 
 
 
 
 
12

Table 3: Offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence by type of offence, in England and Wales 
  
2,903
2,855
2,407
2,514
2,302
2,154
2,406
0%
Caution1
473
482
402
376
349
286
328
-18%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
145
116
86
98
75
84
82
-5%
Fine
131
139
108
122
92
103
121
12%
Community sentence
930
921
708
741
683
616
698
-1%
Suspended sentence
390
336
325
333
314
343
384
18%
Immediate custody
698
747
691
736
688
646
689
0%
Other disposal2
136
114
87
108
101
76
104
20%
Caution1
16%
17%
17%
15%
15%
13%
14%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
4%
3%
Fine
5%
5%
4%
5%
4%
5%
5%
Community sentence
32%
32%
29%
29%
30%
29%
29%
Suspended sentence
13%
12%
14%
13%
14%
16%
16%
Immediate custody
24%
26%
29%
29%
30%
30%
29%
Other disposal2
5%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
2,427
2,291
1,850
1,928
1,669
1,657
1,594
-14%
Caution1
736
671
508
482
413
398
368
-28%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
90
68
52
78
39
47
36
*
Fine
74
86
78
68
60
67
64
-18%
Community sentence
710
635
467
478
433
410
428
-8%
Suspended sentence
269
229
204
237
218
234
238
17%
Immediate custody
460
523
448
490
435
426
391
-13%
Other disposal2
88
79
93
95
71
75
69
-26%
Caution1
30%
29%
27%
25%
25%
24%
23%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4%
3%
3%
4%
2%
3%
2%
Fine
3%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
Community sentence
29%
28%
25%
25%
26%
25%
27%
Suspended sentence
11%
10%
11%
12%
13%
14%
15%
Immediate custody
19%
23%
24%
25%
26%
26%
25%
Other disposal2
4%
3%
5%
5%
4%
5%
4%
Data Source and Quality
percentage of total offences
Number of offences
% change, 
Q2 2012 
to estimated 
Q2 2013
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and 
processing.  The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes available.
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
Possession of an offensive 
weapon
Disposal Category
E Denotes where estimated figures have been used. The estimates are based on historical data changes. Please see explanatory notes of bulletin for further details.
Q2 2013 E
1 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions
Q2 2012
Number of offences
percentage of total offences
2  Represent cases where an offender may have been convicted, but is awaiting further sentencing
Number of offences and percentages
Q2 2010
Possession of an article with a 
blade or point
Q2 2011
Q3 2012 E
Q4 2012 E
Q1 2013 E
 
 
 
 
 
13

Table 4: Custodial sentence proportions for knife and offensive weapon 
possession offences, by sentence length, in England and Wales1 
Up to and including 3 months
40%
43%
37%
39%
32%
34%
38%
Over 3 months and up to and 
including 6 months
30%
28%
26%
26%
32%
27%
28%
Over 6 months
31%
29%
36%
35%
36%
38%
35%
Data Source and Quality
2 Please note that the above calculations are based on the current figures and not the estimates used in Tables 1 to 3. This table will be updated in 
future editions to match tables 1 to 3.
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Sentence length
Q1 2013
Q2 2013
percentage of total offences
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible 
errors with data entry and processing.  The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes available. 
Q2 2010
Q4 2012
Q3 2012
Q2 2011
Q2 2012
Proportion of sentence lengths
  
 
 
 
 
Table 5: Average sentence length of immediate custodial sentences for knife 
and offensive weapon possession offences, in England and Wales 
England and Wales1
191
184
230
227
219
230
209
-9%
Data Source and Quality
Average Sentence length
Q4 2012
Q1 2013
Q2 2013
Q2 2010
Q3 2012
Q2 2011
Q2 2012
average sentence length (days)
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and 
processing.  The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes available. 
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
% change, 
Q2 2012 to 
Q2 2013
2 Please note that the above calculations are based on the current figures and not the estimates used in Tables 1 to 3. This table will be updated in 
future editions to match tables 1 to 3.
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

Table 6: Number of previous convictions or cautions for the possession of a 
knife or offensive weapon for offenders convicted or cautioned for a 
possession offence in 12 months ending June 2013, in England and Wales 
 
England and Wales1
11,245
2,297
782
577
14,901
Caution2
2,800
90
18
12
2,920
Absolute/Conditional discharge
373
84
20
11
488
Fine
517
110
20
11
658
Community sentence
3,383
620
170
85
4,258
Suspended sentence
1,515
412
134
96
2,157
Immediate custody
2,129
860
382
323
3,694
Other disposal3
528
121
38
39
726
Caution2
25%
4%
2%
2%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3%
4%
3%
2%
Fine
5%
5%
3%
2%
Community sentence
30%
27%
22%
15%
Suspended sentence
13%
18%
17%
17%
Immediate custody
19%
37%
49%
56%
Other disposal3
5%
5%
5%
7%
Data Source and Quality
number of offenders
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to 
possible errors with data entry and processing.  The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes 
available. 
percentage of offenders
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
2 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions
3  Represent cases where an offender may have been convicted, but is awaiting further sentencing
3 or more
Total3
Disposal Category
0
1
Number of previous convictions/cautions
2
  
 
15

Table 7: Number of previous convictions or cautions for the possession of a 
knife or offensive weapon for offenders convicted or cautioned for a 
possession offence 12 months ending June 2013, split by age group in 
England and Wales  
Aged 10 to 17
2,152
212
43
13
2,420
Caution3
708
7
715
Absolute/Conditional discharge
45
6
1
1
53
Fine
5
5
Community sentence
1,153
132
26
2
1,313
Immediate custody
153
51
12
8
224
Other disposal4
88
16
4
2
110
Caution3
33%
3%
*
*
Absolute/Conditional discharge
2%
3%
*
*
Fine
0%
0%
*
*
Community sentence
54%
62%
*
*
Immediate custody
7%
24%
*
*
Other disposal4
4%
8%
*
*
Aged 18 and over
9,089
2,085
739
564
12,477
Caution3
2,092
83
18
12
2,205
Absolute/Conditional discharge
328
78
19
10
435
Fine
512
110
20
11
653
Community sentence
2,228
488
144
83
2,943
Suspended sentence
1,515
412
134
96
2,157
Immediate custody
1,974
809
370
315
3,468
Other disposal4
440
105
34
37
616
Caution3
23%
4%
2%
2%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4%
4%
3%
2%
Fine
6%
5%
3%
2%
Community sentence
25%
23%
19%
15%
Suspended sentence
17%
20%
18%
17%
Immediate custody
22%
39%
50%
56%
Other disposal4
5%
5%
5%
7%
Data Source and Quality
3 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions
2 The difference between the totals in Table 9 and the adult/juvenile breakdowns is where there is no age recorded on the system.  
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to 
possible errors with data entry and processing.  The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information becomes 
available.
percentage of offenders
number of offenders
percentage of offenders
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
4  Represent cases where an offender may have been convicted, but is awaiting further sentencing
number of offenders
3 or more
Total3
Disposal Category
0
1
Number of previous convictions/cautions
2
  
 
16

Table 8: Offences involving threatening with a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence, in England and Wales in Q1 and Q2 2013 
10-15
16-17
England and Wales1
41
12
10
63
Caution2
2
2
0
Absolute/Conditional discharge
0
0
0
Fine
0
0
0
Community sentence
5
8
4
Suspended sentence
8
0
0
Immediate custody
19
2
6
Other disposal3
7
0
0
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
2 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions
Data Source and Quality
Juveniles 
Number of offences
Disposal Category
Adults 
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording 
system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.  The figures are provisional and subject to change 
as more information becomes available.
3 Other disposals may represent cases where an offender has been convicted, but is awaiting further sentencing. There 
were 4 individuals with an other disposal reported for Q1 in the last publication, all of which have received a further 
sentence
Total
Number of offences
4
0
0
17
8
27
7
 
 
17

Table 9: Offenders commencing a court order under probation supervision for 
possession of an offensive weapon1, in England and Wales 
England and Wales
1,350
1,168
940
1,018
1,084
895
927
-1%
Community order
867
781
563
648
662
530
577
2%
Suspended sentence order
466
385
377
368
422
365
348
-8%
Pre CJA orders
17
2
0
2
0
0
2
*
Community order
64%
67%
60%
64%
61%
59%
62%
Suspended sentence order
35%
33%
40%
36%
39%
41%
38%
Pre CJA orders
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Data Source and Quality
% change, 
Q2 2012 to 
Q2 2013
Number of starts and percentages
Court order starts
Q1 2013
Q2 2012
Q2 2011
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system,  are subject to possible errors with data entry and 
processing. All data is provisional.
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
1 Includes having an article with a blade or a point.
Q3 2012
Q4 2012
Q2 2013
percentage of total starts
Q2 2010
number of starts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18

Table 10: Requirement starts for possession of offensive weapon1, in England 
and Wales 
Community order
1,393
1,248
911
1065
1049
869
928
2%
  Unpaid Work                           
466
413
274
312
335
259
276
1%
  Supervision                           
473
405
308
381
345
301
314
2%
  Curfew                                
134
117
87
71
57
66
69
-21%
  Accredited program                   
95
74
61
66
49
59
52
-15%
  Specified activity                    
72
115
88
114
37
94
119
35%
  Drug treatment                        
46
42
29
39
95
23
33
*
  Alcohol treatment                     
46
39
31
44
93
34
27
*
  Mental health                         
27
17
13
9
16
9
11
*
  Exclusion                             
8
1
7
2
4
5
3
  Residential                           
13
4
2
8
4
7
4
  Attendance centre                     
7
18
10
13
10
9
17
*
  Prohibited activity                   
6
3
1
6
4
3
3
Unpaid work 
33%
33%
30%
29%
32%
30%
30%
Supervision 
34%
32%
34%
36%
33%
35%
34%
Other requirements
33%
34%
36%
35%
35%
36%
36%
Suspended sentence order
817
682
674
658
767
642
621
-8%
  Unpaid work                           
222
187
170
157
193
156
148
-13%
  Supervision                           
305
242
237
246
274
232
233
-2%
  Curfew                                
72
72
78
61
75
66
64
-18%
  Accredited program                   
69
51
49
64
57
64
50
*
  Specified activity                    
48
49
64
67
78
56
57
-11%
  Drug treatment                        
37
16
21
20
26
11
26
*
  Alcohol treatment                     
40
32
31
33
35
33
18
*
  Mental health                         
3
8
5
3
2
8
7
  Exclusion                             
3
7
5
1
3
3
9
  Residential                           
5
5
5
2
16
7
5
*
  Attendance centre                     
4
7
5
2
2
2
3
  Prohibited activity                   
9
6
4
2
6
4
1
Unpaid work 
27%
27%
25%
24%
25%
24%
24%
Supervision 
37%
35%
35%
37%
36%
36%
38%
Other requirements
35%
37%
40%
39%
39%
40%
39%
Data Source and Quality
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system,  are subject to possible errors with data entry 
and processing. All data is provisional. 
percentage of total requirements
number of requirements
percentage of total requirements
1 Includes having an article with a blade or a point.
Q2 2010
number of requirements
Number of requirements and percentages
Q2 2013
% change, 
Q2 2012 to 
Q2 2013
Q3 2012
Q1 2013
Q4 2012
Q2 2012
Q2 2011
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
 
 
19

Table 11: Unpaid work requirements started by length of requirement given for 
possession of offensive weapon1, in England and Wales 
Community order
545
446
300
323
368
270
271
-10%
0-80 hours                      
211
190
124
139
144
108
95
-23%
81-150 hours                  
217
164
116
128
165
112
109
-6%
151-199 hours                
37
28
17
21
21
12
21
*
200-250 hours
75
62
42
34
36
34
43
*
251-300 hours
5
2
1
1
2
4
3
0-80 hours                      
39%
43%
41%
43%
39%
40%
35%
81-150 hours                  
40%
37%
39%
40%
45%
41%
40%
151-199 hours                
7%
6%
6%
7%
6%
4%
8%
200-250 hours
14%
14%
14%
11%
10%
13%
16%
251-300 hours
1%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
238
205
181
167
206
169
148
-18%
0-80 hours                      
60
51
64
36
51
43
25
*
81-150 hours                  
113
95
83
93
106
86
82
-1%
151-199 hours                
12
17
14
10
8
14
10
*
200-250 hours
46
40
18
26
38
25
29
*
251-300 hours
7
2
2
2
3
1
2
0-80 hours                      
25%
25%
35%
22%
25%
25%
17%
81-150 hours                  
47%
46%
46%
56%
51%
51%
55%
151-199 hours                
5%
8%
8%
6%
4%
8%
7%
200-250 hours
19%
20%
10%
16%
18%
15%
20%
251-300 hours
3%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Data Source and Quality
1 Includes having an article with a blade or a point.
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system,  are subject to possible 
errors with data entry and processing. All data is provisional.
Number of requirements and percentages
Q2 2013
% change, 
Q2 2012 to 
Q2 2013
Q3 2012
Q2 2010
percentage of total requirements
Q2 2012
Q2 2011
Q1 2013
Q4 2012
number of requirements
percentage of total requirements
number of requirements
Suspended sentence 
order
*
*
  
 
20

Explanatory notes 
Data quality and sources 
Tables 1 to 8  
The statistics presented in tables 1 to 5 in this Bulletin are drawn from an extract of 
data held on the Police National Computer (PNC) as at 2 August 2013. 
The PNC is a large administrative database containing information about police 
cautions and court convictions held by individual offenders in England and Wales. As 
an administrative system, the PNC is regularly updated as new information about 
particular individuals becomes available. For example, an offender with previous 
convictions may have recently been charged with another offence, appeared in court 
against this charge and then been subsequently convicted of this offence. This 
information would then be updated accordingly against that individual’s record in the 
PNC.  
As these updates involve some element of manual data entry alongside more 
automated systems, there can be delays in the database becoming updated with the 
latest information about an offender’s convictions. As such, the number of 
cautions/convictions recorded in the PNC extract for knife possession offences in 
recent quarters, in particular for the most recent quarter included in this bulletin, is 
likely to be lower than the actual number of cautions/convictions given in the period.  
In addition, the different disposals recorded in the PNC extract for knife possession 
offences in recent quarters are also subject to some change. This is partly due to the 
delays in updating recent court outcomes on the PNC, but is also due to the fact that, 
while some individuals will have been convicted of a knife possession offence in a 
magistrate’s court during the quarter, information about the disposal they received is 
not yet available as the case has been passed to the Crown court for sentencing at a 
later date. These cases will be updated when information about the final sentence 
given for the offence becomes available.  
As a result of these updates, the statistics presented in this bulletin are based on 
estimates of what the final sentencing outcomes will be for the latest period once all 
data updates have been made. 
The estimates were introduced from the previous edition of this bulletin and followed 
detailed analysis that tracked changes in the disposal figures from those initially 
published for each quarter to those released over the following year as data held on 
the PNC was updated with new information.    
The background to and methodology used to derive these estimates was published 
in the October to December 2012 release of this bulletin – click here for link – and we 
will continue to monitor the method used to estimate the final disposal outcomes in 
future editions to this bulletin to ensure that the estimated figures are realistic. 
 
 
 
21

 
 
 
Tables 9 to 11 and Figure 5 
The probation data has been processed from data collected and held centrally by the 
Ministry of Justice. The data are drawn from the local probation administrative IT 
systems from each of the 35 probation trusts in England and Wales. The figures 
showing the numbers starting court orders relate to the number of offenders starting 
probation supervision in a given period. The numbers drawn from the PNC data in 
tables 1 to 5 relate to the total number of offences committed by offenders given 
particular disposals, which are likely to be greater than the number of offenders. Also, 
the probation data shows offenders convicted of the more general offence of 
‘possession of an offensive weapon’. This will include possession of knives, as well 
the particular offence of ‘possession of an article with a blade or point’, but these 
cannot be separately distinguished in the probation data. 
Prison population data presented in this brief are drawn from the prison 
administrative IT systems. The figures showing the numbers under sentence refer to 
the number of offenders serving a custodial sentence. Figures drawn from PNC data 
refer to the number of offences committed by offenders given particular disposals. 
Prison establishments routinely provide records of the numbers of persons held in 
custody at the end of each month, broadly subdivided according to age, sex, custody 
type and sentence length. The records are collated and processed centrally. 
However, data recorded by prisons only show the numbers serving a sentence for 
the general offence of “possession of an offensive weapon”. This offence includes 
the possession of a knife but can also include possession of other dangerous 
weapons (excluding firearms). 
Due to technical problems relating to the supply of data for statistical purposes it has 
not been possible to provide data relating to the prison population for specific offence 
types from July 2009 to March 2010.  
 
 
22

Glossary  
This glossary provides a brief description of the main terms used in the Commentary 
section of this report. For further information, please contact the Justice Statistics 
Analytical Services division using the details provided in the contacts section at the 
end of this bulletin. 
Adult: An offender aged 18 and over. 
Caution: A warning given to adults offenders who admit guilt and agree to be 
cautioned. They are issued on the instructions of a senior police officer where there is 
sufficient evidence for a conviction and it is not considered to be in the public interest 
to institute criminal proceedings.  
Community sentence: An alternate to custodial sentence (sending offenders to 
prison) which allows offenders to make amends for their crimes. For juveniles the 
main community sentence used are the referral order and the Youth Rehabilitation 
Order (YRO). With a community sentence there are specific things the offender can, 
can’t and must do while serving their sentence. Elements of custodial sentence 
include;  
 
Supervision,  
 
Unpaid work,  
 
Specified activities, 
 
Prohibited activities, 
 
Accredited programmes,  
 
Curfew, exclusion,  
 
Residence,  
 
Mental health treatment,  
 
Drug rehabilitation, 
 
Alcohol treatment and attendance centre requirement for under 25s 
England and Wales – Total figures for England and Wales now include all police 
forces in England and Wales and the British Transport Police (BTP). The Home 
Office is responsible for policing the 43 police forces in England and Wales. There 
are also other authorities who prosecute offenders such as: 
 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP),  
 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC),  
 Ministry of Defence (MOD) and 
 
23

 British Transport Police (BTP).  
 
Immediate custody: Unsuspended imprisonment for adults aged 21 or over and 
detention in a young offender institution for those aged 18 to 20. The maximum 
sentence available is 4 years for possession of a bladed article in a public place or an 
offensive weapon. Juveniles aged 12 to 17 may receive a detention and training 
order of 4, 6, 8, 10,12, 18 or 24 months  
Juvenile:  An offender between the ages 10 and 17. 
Offences included: The PNC data (tables 1 to 5) produced in this brief are the 
number of offences committed not the number of offenders. The offences relate to 
possession offences rather than offences where a knife was used. The offence codes 
included in the dataset are as follows: 
 00811 – Possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or 
reasonable excuse. Prevention of Crime Act 1953 Section 1. 
 00828 – Possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or 
reasonable excuse on school premises. Criminal Justice Act 1988 Section 139 
A (2) as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 Section 4 (1). 
 00826 – Having an article with a blade or a point in a public place. Criminal 
Justice Act 1988 Section 139 (1) as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 
Section 3 (1). 
 00827 – Having an article with a blade or a point on school premises. Criminal 
Justice Act 1988 Section 139 (2) as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 
Section 4 (1). 
New offence codes include: The PNC data used to produce table 8 in this brief are 
the number of offences committed not the number of offenders. The offences relate 
to threatening offences rather than offences where a knife was used. The offence 
codes included in the dataset are as follows: 
 00861 – Threaten with an offensive weapon in a public place. 
 00862 – Threaten with a blade/sharply pointed article on a school premises 
 00863 – Threaten with an offensive weapon on a school premises. 
 00864 – Threaten with a blade/sharply pointed article in a public place. 
 
 
Offensive weapon: Any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the 
person, or intended by the person having it with him for such.  Examples includes: a 
swordstick, a hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade. 
 
24

Reprimand and warning: Issued to juvenile first time offenders for minor offences. 
Reprimand and warning for juveniles are equivalent of cautions for adults. 
Youth cautions: Introduced on April 8th 2013. They are formal out-of-court disposals 
for young offenders (aged 10 to 17) and intended to allow a more flexible response to 
offending than the preceding Final Warning Scheme.  
 
Suspended Sentence: A custody sentence of less than 12 months, suspended for a 
period ranging from six months to two years available for adult only.  
 
 
25

Contact points for further information 
Current and previous editions of this publication are available for download at 
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/series/knife-possession-
sentencing-quarterly  
Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office: 
Tel: xx-xxxx-xxxx 
 
Other enquiries about these statistics should be directed to: 
 
Ministry of Justice 
Justice Statistics Analytical Services 
7th floor  
102 Petty France 
London SW1H 9AJ 
 
General enquiries about the statistical work of the Ministry of Justice can be e-mailed 
to: xxx@xxx.xx 
General information about the official statistics system of the UK is available from 
www.statistics.gov.uk 
 
Other knife and sharp object related statistical releases 
Other government departments also release statistics relating to knives and sharp 
objects. Below are some links and brief outlines of other available sources. 
 The Home Office provide a guidance document regarding the law for knives and 
offensive weapons: 
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/186911/Knive
s_and_offensive_weapons_information_GDS_FAQ.pdf 
www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife  
 
 The Home Office also publish statistics of offences involving knives and sharp 
instruments. This is contained within the Crime in England and Wales statistical 
bulletin and has a section called Offences involving knives and sharp instruments. 
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/period-ending-march-2013/stb-
crime--period-ending-march-2013.html#tab-Offences-involving-knives-and-sharp-
instruments  
 
 
26

 
27
 The Department for Health release hospital admission data for assaults on an ad 
hoc basis. Within this data there is a category for X99 - Assault by sharp object. 
The link for the most recently released publication is listed below and the data can 
usually be found in the Monthly HES data – Monthly topic of interest section of the 
HES online website. 
 
www.hscic.gov.uk/hes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
©Crown copyright 
Produced by the Ministry of Justice 
Alternative formats are available on request from 
xxx@xxx.xx