Knife possession sentencing quarterly brief - October to December 2012
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 
October to December 2012 
England and Wales 
 
Ministry of Justice 
Statistics Bulletin 
 
 
Published 7 March 2013 
 

Contents  
 
Contents 
 
 
2 
Introduction 
 
 
3 
Key Findings 
 
 
5 
Appendix A: Statistical Tables 
 
 
10 
Explanatory notes (including description of estimation methodology) 
 
 
18 
Glossary 
 
 
23 
Contacts 
 
 
25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 25 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. 
Methodological change introduced in this bulletin 
As indicated in the previous edition of this quarterly bulletin (published 6 December 
2012), these statistics now include new estimates of the number and breakdown of 
disposals given for the possession of a knife or an offensive weapon in the most 
recent four quarters.  
These estimates have been introduced following detailed analyses 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 Police National Computer (PNC) 
was updated with new information.  
The analyses showed that the figures first published for each quarter will typically be 
a slight undercount, but that the number of immediate custodial sentences recorded 
on the PNC will increase significantly over time – in particular, as sentences passed 
by the Crown court became available on the system. The analyses also showed that 
the scale of change to these figures over time was very stable and therefore 
predictable.  
The explanatory notes section provides full details of the methodology used to 
generate the estimates presented in this bulletin. This methodology will be kept under 
review and validated to ensure the estimates released for each quarter remain 
accurate. 
 
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 
 
                                            
1 www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/period-ending-sept-2012/stb-crime-in-england-and-wales--year-ending-sept-
2012.html#tab-Offences-involving-knives-and-sharp-instruments 
 
3

 
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 who uses a knife or offensive weapon to threaten and 
endanger others will face a mandatory custodial sentence.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 As this offence has only come into effect part way through the current quarter of data, it has not been included in the tables 
presented in this publication. 
 
4

Key findings  
Estimates indicate that the final disposal figures for Q4 2012 will show:  
 3,982 disposals were given for possession of a knife or an offensive weapon. This 
is down by 17 per cent from the number of cautions or convictions given for these 
offences in Q4 2011, and continues the generally falling trend in disposals given 
for these offences over the last 4 years.  
Figure 1: Number of disposals given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession by age, in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q4 2012 
 
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
Number 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 methods of disposal for possession of a knife or an offensive 
weapon were a community sentence (29 per cent in the latest quarter) or an 
immediate custodial sentence (27 per cent).   
 The proportion of possession offences resulting in immediate custody reduced 
slightly since Q4 2011 (from 28 to 27 per cent), while suspended prison sentences 
and cautions increased slightly and other disposals showed no change, However, 
figures for the latest quarter are estimated so may change slightly once final 
outcomes are known.  
 In addition, over the longer term, the proportion of possession offences resulting 
in 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.  
 
 
5

Figure 2: Proportion of type of disposal given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q4 2012 
 
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
% 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 5 times as many adults (3,322) were cautioned or convicted for possession 
offences than juveniles (660) - 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 Q4 2011, the number of disposals given to 
juveniles for possession offences dropped by 22 per cent while, for adults, the 
number fell by 16 per cent. 
 
 Over half of all juveniles (55 per cent) receiving disposals for possession offences 
were given a community sentence, while a further quarter (26 per cent) were 
given a reprimand or a warning. 12 per cent were given an immediate custodial 
sentence, unchanged from Q4 2011 but up 3 percentage points since Q4 2010.  
 Amongst adult offenders, just under a quarter (24 per cent) were given a 
community sentence, while 18 per cent were given a caution and 30 per cent 
were given an immediate custodial sentence. Custody rates for adults were down 
2 percentage points since Q4 2011 but up 4 points since Q4 2010. 
 
 
6

Figure 3:  Proportion of type of disposal given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession for juveniles and adults, in England and Wales, Q4 2011 and Q4 
2012 
Adult and Juvenile Disposal proportions
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Juvenile
Q4 2011
Juvenile
Q4 2012
Adult
Q4 2011
Adult
Q4 2012
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. Fo
offenders with no previous offences for possession of a knife or offensive weapon, 
over a quarter received a caution in 2012 whereas 30 per cent received a commu
sentence and 18 per
Disposal for offenders with no previous 
offences for knife possession
Discharges
3%
Fine
4%
Comm Pen
30%
Fully Susp
12%
Imd Cust
18%
Other
4%
Caution
27%
r 
nity 
 cent were given immediate custody. However, for offenders with 
at least one previous possession offence on their record, 43 per cent were sentenced 
n of a 
ossession offences, in England and Wales in 2012 
 
to immediate custody in 2012, while only 4 per cent received a caution.  
Figure 4: Number of previous convictions or cautions for the possessio
eapon for offenders convicted or cautioned for the 
knife or offensive w
p
 
7
Disposal for offenders with one or more 
previous offences for knife possession
Caution
4%
Discharges
3% Fine
3%
Comm Pen
24%
Fully Susp
17%
Imd Cust
43%
Other
6%

  
 Immediate custodial sentences given for possession offences were for 226 days, 
or 7.4 months, on average. This is 4 per cent longer than average sentence 
lengths given in Q4 2011 and continues the increasing trend seen over the last 4 
years. Average sentence lengths for possession offences are now around 70 per 
cent, or 3 months, longer than they were at the end of 2007. 
 
 1,084 offenders started a court order under probation supervision for possession 
offences. This is down 8 per cent from Q4 2011 and 15 per cent from Q4 2010, 
related primarily to the reductions in the number of possession offences dealt with 
over this period.  
 
 
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 Q4 2012 
 
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
Number of Probation supervision Court order starts
Pre Criminal Justice Act (CJA) orders
Suspended sentence order
Community order
 
 The most common requirements placed on offenders starting court orders for 
possession offences were supervision - 36 per cent of suspended sentence 
orders (SSOs) and 33 per cent of community orders (COs) - and unpaid work - 25 
per cent of SSOs and 32 per cent of COs. The use of unpaid work as a 
requirement has fallen over recent years – down 2 percentage points for SSOs 
since Q4 2010 and 3 points for COs over the same period. 
 Where unpaid work requirements were placed upon those starting a community 
order for possession offences, 39 per cent were for less than 80 hours and 45 per 
cent were for 81 to 150 hours. For those starting suspended sentence orders, 25 
per cent were for under 80 hours and 51 per cent were for 81 to 150 hours. 
 
8

 
 449 offenders were in prison serving a sentence for possession of an offensive 
weapon on 28 December 2012, down 25 per cent from 602 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. 
 
Figure 6: Prison population under sentence for possession of an offensive 
weapon4 (excludes recalls) in England and Wales, between 2007 and 2012 
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Jan-07
Apr-07
Jul-07
Oct-07
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
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
2008
2009
2012
2011
2010
2007
 
                                            
4 Includes having an article with a blade or a point. 
 
9

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
5,688
5,156
4,811
4,875
4,322
4,487
3,982
-17%
Caution2
1,217
1,083
914
976
949
887
778
-15%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
207
203
152
175
139
168
112
-26%
Fine
222
240
194
201
186
188
153
-21%
Community sentence
1,616
1,579
1,397
1,414
1,171
1,250
1,144
-18%
Suspended sentence
797
630
586
611
524
574
536
-9%
Immediate custody
1,391
1,194
1,363
1,288
1,169
1,210
1,092
-20%
Other disposal
238
227
205
210
184
210
167
-19%
Caution2
21%
21%
19%
20%
22%
20%
20%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4%
4%
3%
4%
3%
4%
3%
Fine
4%
5%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
Community sentence
28%
31%
29%
29%
27%
28%
29%
Suspended sentence
14%
12%
12%
13%
12%
13%
13%
Immediate custody
24%
23%
28%
26%
27%
27%
27%
Other disposal
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
5%
4%
Data Source and Quality
Number of offences and percentage change
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
percentage of total offences
Q4 2009
Q4 2010
Q2 2012 E
Q3 2012 E
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.
Disposal Category
% change, 
estimated Q4 2012 
to  Q4 2011
Q4 2011
Q4 2012 E
Q1 2012 E
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10

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
1,023
912
842
831
747
705
660
-22%
Reprimands & warnings
316
271
204
209
238
196
170
-17%
Absolute/conditional discharge
27
13
14
19
9
10
15
*
Fine
5
3
2
2
2
1
2
*
Community sentence
535
493
490
472
393
392
362
-26%
Immediate custody
89
81
97
95
69
75
80
-18%
Other disposal2
51
51
35
34
36
31
31
*
Reprimands & warnings
31%
30%
24%
25%
32%
28%
26%
Absolute/conditional discharge
3%
1%
2%
2%
1%
1%
2%
Fine
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Community sentence
52%
54%
58%
57%
53%
56%
55%
Immediate custody
9%
9%
12%
11%
9%
11%
12%
Other disposal2
5%
6%
4%
4%
5%
4%
5%
Aged 18 and over
4,665
4,243
3,967
4,044
3,575
3,782
3,322
-16%
Caution
901
812
709
767
711
691
608
-14%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
180
190
138
156
130
158
97
-30%
Fine
217
237
192
199
184
187
151
-21%
Community sentence
1,081
1,086
907
942
778
858
782
-14%
Suspended sentence
797
630
586
611
524
574
536
-9%
Immediate custody
1,302
1,112
1,266
1,193
1,100
1,135
1,012
-20%
Other disposal
187
176
169
176
148
179
136
-20%
Caution
19%
19%
18%
19%
20%
18%
18%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4%
4%
3%
4%
4%
4%
3%
Fine
5%
6%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
Community sentence
23%
26%
23%
23%
22%
23%
24%
Suspended sentence
17%
15%
15%
15%
15%
15%
16%
Immediate custody
28%
26%
32%
30%
31%
30%
30%
Other disposal
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
5%
4%
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 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 The difference between the totals in Table 1 and the adult/juvenile breakdowns is where there is no age recorded on the system.  For  Q4 2010 one person received a custodial 
sentence with no age recorded. In Q4 2011 there were two people with no age recorded, one for caution and one for an other disposal. In  Q4 2009, there were no individuals with a 
missing age.
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.
Q1 2012 E
Q2 2012 E
Q3 2012 E
Disposal Category
Q4 2009
Q4 2012 E
Number of offences and percentages
% change, 
estimated Q4 
2012 to  Q4 
2011
Q4 2010
Q4 2011
 
 
 
 
11

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 
 
2,897
2,757
2,613
2,726
2,424
2,525
2,294
-12%
Caution1
405
398
334
405
406
377
346
4%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
130
129
102
114
88
94
73
-28%
Fine
105
131
115
123
109
121
93
-19%
Community sentence
896
893
842
831
708
756
693
-18%
Suspended sentence
449
378
333
369
322
344
323
-3%
Immediate custody
795
696
766
763
702
715
667
-13%
Other disposal2
117
132
121
121
89
118
99
-18%
Caution1
14%
14%
13%
15%
17%
15%
15%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4%
5%
4%
4%
4%
4%
3%
Fine
4%
5%
4%
5%
4%
5%
4%
Community sentence
31%
32%
32%
30%
29%
30%
30%
Suspended sentence
15%
14%
13%
14%
13%
14%
14%
Immediate custody
27%
25%
29%
28%
29%
28%
29%
Other disposal2
4%
5%
5%
4%
4%
5%
4%
2,791
2,399
2,198
2,149
1,898
1,962
1,688
-23%
Caution1
812
685
580
571
543
510
432
-26%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
77
74
50
61
51
74
39
*
Fine
117
109
79
78
77
67
60
-24%
Community sentence
720
686
555
583
463
494
451
-19%
Suspended sentence
348
252
253
242
202
230
213
-16%
Immediate custody
596
498
597
525
467
495
425
-29%
Other disposal
121
95
84
89
95
92
68
-19%
Caution1
29%
29%
26%
27%
29%
26%
26%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3%
3%
2%
3%
3%
4%
2%
Fine
4%
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
4%
Community sentence
26%
29%
25%
27%
24%
25%
27%
Suspended sentence
12%
11%
12%
11%
11%
12%
13%
Immediate custody
21%
21%
27%
24%
25%
25%
25%
Other disposal
4%
4%
4%
4%
5%
5%
4%
Data Source and Quality
Number of offences and percentages
Q4 2009
Possession of an article with a 
blade or point
Q4 2010
Q1 2012 E
Q2 2012 E
Q3 2012 E
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. 
% change, 
estimated Q4 
2012 to  Q4 
2011
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.
Q4 2012 E
1 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings.
Q4 2011
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
12

Table 4: Custodial sentence proportions for knife and offensive weapon 
possession offences, by sentence length, in England and Wales 
Up to and including 3 months
38%
42%
35%
37%
37%
37%
30%
Over 3 months and up to and 
including 6 months
31%
29%
29%
29%
26%
26%
32%
Over 6 months
31%
29%
36%
34%
36%
37%
38%
Data Source and Quality
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.
Q4 2009
Q2 2012
Q1 2012
Q4 2010
Q4 2011
Proportion of sentence lengths
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
Q3 2012
Q4 2012
percentage of total offences
  
Table 5: Average sentence length of immediate custodial sentences for knife 
and offensive weapon possession offences, in England and Wales 
England and Wales1
201
185
218
203
232
234
226
4%
Data Source and Quality
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, 
Q4 2012 to Q4 
2011
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.
Average Sentence length
Q2 2012
Q3 2012
Q4 2012
Q4 2009
Q1 2012
Q4 2010
Q4 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13

Table 6: Offenders commencing a court order under probation supervision for 
possession of an offensive weapon1, in England and Wales 
England and Wales
1,500
1,278
1,172
1,168
940
1,018
1,084
-8%
Community order
924
853
727
735
563
648
662
-9%
Suspended sentence order
540
423
445
432
377
368
422
-5%
Pre CJA orders
36
2
0
1
0
2
0
Community order
62%
67%
62%
63%
60%
64%
61%
Suspended sentence order
36%
33%
38%
37%
40%
36%
39%
Pre CJA orders
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Data Source and Quality
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.
Q1 2012
Q2 2012
Q4 2012
percentage of total starts
Q4 2010
number of starts
Q4 2009
Percentage 
change 
Q4 2011 to Q4 
2012
Number of starts and percentages
Court order starts
Q3 2012
Q4 2011
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

Table 7: Requirement starts for possession of offensive weapon1, in England 
and Wales 
Community order
1,474
1,346
1246
1216
911
1065
1049
-16%
  Unpaid Work                           
535
472
399
388
274
312
335
-16%
  Supervision                           
466
450
415
389
308
381
345
-17%
  Curfew                                
147
62
132
120
87
71
57
-57%
  Accredited program                   
101
92
69
76
61
66
49
*
  Specified activity                    
68
92
103
117
88
114
37
*
  Drug treatment                        
52
92
38
29
29
39
95
*
  Alcohol treatment                     
54
39
51
50
31
44
93
82%
  Mental health                         
25
19
11
12
13
9
16
*
  Exclusion                             
4
3
7
8
7
2
4
*
  Residential                           
6
6
7
5
2
8
4
*
  Attendance centre                     
8
16
8
17
10
13
10
*
  Prohibited activity                   
8
3
6
5
1
6
4
*
Unpaid work 
36%
35%
32%
32%
30%
29%
32%
Supervision 
32%
33%
33%
32%
34%
36%
33%
Other requirements
32%
32%
35%
36%
36%
35%
35%
Suspended sentence order
978
782
768
757
672
659
768
0%
  Unpaid work                           
254
211
205
210
170
157
193
-6%
  Supervision                           
373
289
269
281
237
246
274
2%
  Curfew                                
101
76
89
65
78
61
75
-16%
  Accredited program                   
97
76
61
73
49
64
57
-7%
  Specified activity                    
46
49
73
64
64
67
78
7%
  Drug treatment                        
33
22
21
21
21
20
26
*
  Alcohol treatment                     
43
33
25
24
31
33
35
*
  Mental health                         
3
6
3
4
5
3
2
*
  Exclusion                             
3
6
2
2
5
1
3
*
  Residential                           
7
3
12
7
5
2
16
*
  Attendance centre                     
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
*
  Prohibited activity                   
15
8
5
3
4
2
6
*
Unpaid work 
26%
27%
27%
28%
25%
24%
25%
Supervision 
38%
37%
35%
37%
35%
37%
36%
Other requirements
36%
36%
38%
35%
39%
39%
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.
Number of requirements and percentages
Q4 2012
Percentage 
change 
Q4 2011 to Q4 
2012
Q1 2012
Q3 2012
Q2 2012
Q4 2011
Q4 2010
Q4 2009
number of requirements
 
 
15

Table 8: Unpaid work requirements started by length of requirement given for 
possession of offensive weapon1, in England and Wales 
Community order
591
503
440
426
300
323
368
-16%
0-80 hours                      
224
208
174
159
124
139
144
-17%
81-150 hours                  
221
188
191
176
116
128
165
-14%
151-199 hours                
42
37
21
21
17
21
21
*
200-250 hours
98
64
48
67
42
34
36
*
251-300 hours
6
6
6
3
1
1
2
0-80 hours                      
38%
41%
40%
37%
41%
43%
39%
81-150 hours                  
37%
37%
43%
41%
39%
40%
45%
151-199 hours                
7%
7%
5%
5%
6%
7%
6%
200-250 hours
17%
13%
11%
16%
14%
11%
10%
251-300 hours
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
0%
1%
260
223
224
221
181
167
206
-8%
0-80 hours                      
49
53
49
56
64
36
51
*
81-150 hours                  
131
100
122
108
83
93
106
-13%
151-199 hours                
20
12
17
15
14
10
8
*
200-250 hours
57
53
31
40
18
26
38
*
251-300 hours
3
5
5
2
2
2
3
0-80 hours                      
19%
24%
22%
25%
35%
22%
25%
81-150 hours                  
50%
45%
54%
49%
46%
56%
51%
151-199 hours                
8%
5%
8%
7%
8%
6%
4%
200-250 hours
22%
24%
14%
18%
10%
16%
18%
251-300 hours
1%
2%
2%
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
Q4 2012
Percentage 
change 
Q4 2011 to 
Q4 2012
Q1 2012
Q4 2009
percentage of total requirements
Q4 2011
Q4 2010
Q3 2012
Q2 2012
number of requirements
percentage of total requirements
number of requirements
Suspended sentence 
order
*
*
 
 
16

Table 9: 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 2012, in England and Wales 
 
England and Wales1
12,290
2,464
815
612
16,181
Caution2
3,357
118
19
6
3,500
Absolute/Conditional discharge
425
90
15
16
546
Fine
549
101
22
13
685
Community sentence
3,745
662
186
101
4,694
Suspended sentence
1,467
421
134
91
2,113
Immediate custody
2,212
941
387
343
3,883
Other disposal3
535
131
52
42
760
Caution2
27%
5%
2%
1%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3%
4%
2%
3%
Fine
4%
4%
3%
2%
Community sentence
30%
27%
23%
17%
Suspended sentence
12%
17%
16%
15%
Immediate custody
18%
38%
47%
56%
Other disposal3
4%
5%
6%
7%
Data Source and Quality
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 
percentage
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
2 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings.
number of offenders
3 or more
Total
Disposal Category
0
1
Number of previous convictions/cautions
2
  
  
 
17

Explanatory notes 
Data quality and sources 
Tables 1 to 5 and table 9 
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 1 February 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, are 
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 shown in the table below, these updates to the information held within the PNC 
about disposals for knife possession offences have the main effect of increasing the 
number/proportion of offences reported as having been dealt with through immediate 
custody, and reducing the number/proportion reported as other disposals.  
 
 
18

Table A1: Change in the number of disposals reported for knife possession 
offences in Q4 2011 between the time of first publication (March 2012) and as 
updated in this bulletin  
Difference
England and Wales1
4,781
4,811
30
1%
Caution2
902
914
12
1%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
142
152
10
7%
Fine
186
194
8
4%
Community sentence
1,420
1,397
-23
-2%
Suspended sentence
614
586
-28
-5%
Immediate custody
1,148
1,363
215
19%
Other disposal3
369
205
-164
-44%
England and Wales1
100%
100%
Caution2
19%
19%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3%
3%
Fine
4%
4%
Community sentence
30%
29%
Suspended sentence
13%
12%
Immediate custody
24%
28%
Other disposal3
8%
4%
3  Includes deferred sentences.
number of offences
2 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings.
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Oct - Dec 2011 published 1st 
March 2012 
Oct - Dec 2011 revised, 
published 7th March 2013
Disposal Category
Percentage 
change
percentage
  
In previous editions of this bulletin, comparisons were made of the most recent 
quarter’s data with the same quarter in the previous year. However, in taking this 
approach, we were consistently reporting that the proportion of immediate custodial 
sentences had reduced, while once the final figures for the quarter became available, 
it was clear this was not the case. Therefore, in this bulletin, we have replaced the 
current disposal data as taken from the PNC for the last four quarters with estimates 
of what the final version of the figures for these particular quarters will be.  
These estimates have been calculated by tracking the extent to which the historic 
published figures about cautions/convictions for knife possession offences changed 
after their initial release, and applying these changes proportionately to the latest 
information extracted from the PNC. For example, in order to generate the estimated 
disposal figures for the latest quarter (Q4 2012), data for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 2011 
were tracked from their first publication to the figures available for these quarters one 
year subsequently. Tests have shown that the vast majority of changes and updates 
to the PNC data occur within this one-year follow up period, extending the follow-up 
period beyond this would not increase the accuracy of the estimates significantly. 
As an example of the workings and accuracy of this estimation process, the Q4 2011 
figures for possession of a knife or offensive weapon were first published in March 
2012 as shown in table A1, above. We now know that there were actually 30 more 
disposals given for possession offences in the quarter than originally suggested and 
that a much larger proportion of these were for immediate custody as shown in the 
same table. When the figures for Q4 2011 were initially published, this information 
 
19

was obviously not yet available. However, it would have been possible to track data 
for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 2010 through from their original published values to the 
version of the figures updated one year subsequently. This information is shown in 
the table below along with the average change when compared to the figures 
published a year later for all four quarters.  
Table A2: Change between figures initially published for Q1 - Q4 2010 and 
revised figures published a year later 
Q1 2010
Q2 2010
Q3 2010
Q4 2010
Average
Caution
1.6%
0.7%
0.8%
1.4%
1.1%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
11.4%
9.0%
6.3%
2.6%
7.3%
Fine
3.3%
6.8%
5.2%
8.1%
5.8%
Community sentence
-0.2%
-1.8%
-3.9%
-1.6%
-1.9%
Suspended sentence
2.3%
-1.5%
-3.6%
-1.7%
-1.1%
Immediate custody
17.5%
20.0%
21.6%
15.9%
18.7%
Other disposal
-48.6%
-47.8%
-44.8%
-42.8%
-46.0%  
 
Clearly the biggest impact seen was an increase in the figures for immediate custody 
and related decrease in the ‘other disposal’ category. The table also demonstrates 
that the direction and scale of change for each of the four quarters was consistent 
providing confidence that the figures would change similarly for the numbers initially 
available for Q4 2011. 
Through applying these average change values for the previous four quarters to the 
Q4 2011 figures as at the time of their initial publication in March 2012, we could 
have estimated what the final figures for the quarter would be. These estimates are 
shown below along with the actual revised values as they have been published within 
this release. 
 
Table A3: Difference between initial figures published for Q4 2011, the revised 
figures published within this bulletin and the figures that would have been 
estimated through the method described above 
Q4 2011 
(initially 
published)
Q4 2011 
(estimated)
Q4 2011 
(revised in 
this bulletin)
% change - 
revised vs 
initial
% change 
revised vs 
estimated
Total
4,781
4796
4,811
1%
0%
Caution
902
906
914
1%
1%
Absolute/Conditional discharge
142
150
152
7%
1%
Fine
186
195
194
4%
-1%
Community sentence
1,420
1382
1,397
-2%
1%
Suspended sentence
614
597
586
-5%
-2%
Immediate custody
1,148
1368
1,363
19%
0%
Other disposal
369
198
205
-44%
4%  
 
As can be seen from the above table, the figures that would have been estimated for 
Q4 2011 are substantially closer to the complete figures for the quarter as published 
in this bulletin. In particular, the projected number sentenced to immediate custody is 
much closer to the revised numbers – a difference of less than 1 per cent rather than 
 
20

the 19 per cent undercount in the original figures. In addition, the 44 per cent over-
estimate of the numbers in the ‘other disposal’ category would have been become a 
4 per cent under-estimate in the projected figures. Through these comparisons and 
equivalent testing of other quarters, we have concluded that using this estimation 
method gives better estimates of the actual rates for disposals than using the 
unadjusted estimates as originally available from the PNC. 
We will continue to monitor the method used to estimate final disposal outcomes in 
future editions of this bulletin to ensure that the estimated figures provided are 
realistic. We will also present a comparison table in future editions of this bulletin to 
show the accuracy of our estimates produced using this method with the actual final 
figures available for the quarters in question. 
 
21

Tables 6 to 8 and Figure 3 
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).  
Previously only the 43 police forces governed by the Home Office were reported on, 
but now, as the BTP is part of TKAP, they are included in the total figures for England 
and Wales.  
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). 
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. 
Reprimand and warning: Issued to juvenile first time offenders for minor offences. 
Reprimands and warnings for juveniles are the equivalent of cautions for adults.  
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.  
 
 
24

Contact points for further information 
Current and previous editions of this publication are available for download at 
www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/knife-possession 
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.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/knives-offensive-weapons-info 
 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-sept-2012/stb-
crime-in-england-and-wales--year-ending-sept-2012.html#tab-Offences-involving-
knives-and-sharp-instruments 
 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.hesonline.nhs.uk/Ease/servlet/ContentServer?siteID=1937&categoryID=1972 
 
25

 
26
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Produced by the Ministry of Justice 
Alternative formats are available on request from 
xxx@xxx.xx