Knife possession sentencing quarterly brief: October to December 2014
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 2014 
England and Wales 
 
Ministry of Justice 
Statistics Bulletin 
 
 
Published 12 March 2015 
 

 
 
Contents  
 
Contents 
 
 
2 
Introduction 
 
 
3                        
Key Findings                                                                                                             5  
Knife possession sentencing  
 
 
6 
     1: Knife possession offences by disposal type                                                    6                        
     2: Knife possession offences by type of offence                                                  8 
     3: Knife possession offences by length of immediate custodial sentence          10 
     4: Knife possession offences by police force area                                              10  
     5: Criminal history of those cautioned or sentenced for knife possession  
         offences                                                                                                           10                     
     6: Aggravated knife or offensive weapon offences                                              11 
     7: Offenders commenicng probation                                                                   11 
     8: Offenders in prison for knife possession offences                                           12 
Annex A: Statistical Tables 
 
 
14 
Annex B: Assessing the accuracy of estimation method 
 
 
28 
Annex C: Explanatory notes 
 
 
29 
Glossary 
 
 
31 
Other knife and sharp object related statistical release                                            34 
Contacts 
 
 
35 
                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 35 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. The detailed 
offence codes used in this bulletin are outlined in the glossary section.  
Statistics on offences of aggravated possession of a knife or offensive weapon are 
included in their own separate tables and are not included in other totals to enable 
consistent comparisons over time (since these offences were only introduced from 3 
December 2012 
The  structure and content of this report is continually being reviewed to reflect user 
requirements. If you have any feedback about these changes, or report more 
generally, please contact the production team using the contact details at the back of 
the report  
The next publication of the Knife Possession Sentencing Quarterly Brief is scheduled 
to be published on 11th June 2015, covering the period January to March 2015 
This statistical brief, along with the full tables (including both current and estimated 
figures) are available from the Ministry of Justice Website at: 
www.gov.uk/government/collections/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                            
1 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/year-ending-september-2014/stb-crime-in-england-
and-wales--year-ending-september-2014.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 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 for the period October to December 2014 (Q4 2014):   
 3,950 crimes were formally dealt with by the criminal justice system (CJS)  for 
possession of a knife or offensive weapon offences, 4% less than the previous 
quarter and 1% higher than in Q4 2013.  A similar pattern can be seen in each of 
the last six years where Q4 figures are lower than Q3.  
 Over the longer term, there has been a downward trend in the number of these 
offences although since 2013 this appears to be levelling off.  The number of 
offences is currently 46% less than the peak seen in Q3 2008 (7,280) 
Of those crimes; 
 3,214 (81%) were adult offenders of which just under a third (32%) were given an 
immediate custodial sentence, a slight increase from 31% in the same period a 
year ago and up over the longer term. The proportion of adult offenders given 
cautions has fallen over time where the latest proportion (13%) has more than 
halved since the same period 7 years ago where it was 33%.and is one 
percentage point higher than in the same quarter a year ago.  
 A little over one in five (22%) of adult offenders now receive a suspended 
sentence for these offences, an increase of two percentage points over the same 
period a year ago and the previous quarter. The proportion of suspended 
sentence orders for adults are now at it’s highest since their introduction in April 
2005. 
 Compared to 7 years ago, juvenile offenders are now more likely to receive an 
immediate custodial sentence. 1 in every 10 juvenile offenders now goes to prison 
compared to 1 in 18 in 2007. There has been an increase (from 50% to 55%) in 
the proportion of juveniles given a community sentence between Q4 2013 and Q4 
2014.  
 The proportion of juveniles given a youth caution increased by one percentage 
point to 29% from a year ago, a proportion which is significantly lower than in the 
same quarter in 2008 where 34% of juvenile offenders received cautions. 
 
 
5

 
 
Knife Possession Sentencing 
 The total number of crimes formally dealt with by the criminal justice system has 
continued to fall for possession of a knife or an offensive weapons offence, with 
3,950 offences in Q4 2014 compared to the peak seen in Q3 2008 (7,280).   
 
Figure 1: Number of disposals given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession offences by age, in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q4 
2014 
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
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q 3 2014
Q4 2014
Number of disposals
Total number of disposals
Adults (aged 18 and over)
Juveniles (aged 10 to 17)
Total estimated 
Adult estimated
Juvenile estimated
 
 
1: Knife Possession offences by disposal type 
 The most common disposals for possession of a knife or an offensive weapon 
offence continues to be immediate custodial sentences (28%) followed by and 
community sentences (27%).  
 The proportion of possession offences resulting in community sentences and 
immediate custodial sentences has remained fairly steady over the last year. 
Similarly, there has been little change in the proportion of fines and discharges 
given. 
 Suspended sentences continue to increase and are now at 18% of all disposals, 
the highest it has ever been. Suspended sentences have taken over from 
cautions as the third most prevalent disposal. 
 The proportion of offenders receiving cautions is 16%, one percentage point less 
than a year ago as well as in the previous quarter. The proportion of offenders 
getting a caution has fallen significantly over time by 76% from Q4 2007 where 
37% of offenders received a caution. It should be noted that figures for the latest 
four quarters are estimated so these figures may change slightly once final 
outcomes are known.  
 
6

 
 
 Over the longer term, the proportion of possession offences resulting in an 
immediate custodial sentence has increased since 2008 (from 16% in Q4 2007 to 
28% in Q4 2014). The increase started particularly during 2008 when changes 
were made to the sentencing guidelines for knife possession as outlined earlier in 
this bulletin.  
Figure 2: Proportion of type of disposal given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q4 2014 
  
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
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
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 (55%) receiving disposals for possession offences were 
given a community sentence, while 29% were given a youth caution4, a proportion 
which has remained relatively stable during the last five quarters, but is 
significantly lower than in Q4 2007 where 47% of juvenile offenders received 
cautions.  
 One in ten juveniles were given an immediate custodial sentence, down two 
percentage points on the same period one year ago.   
 Just under a third (32%) of adult offenders were given an immediate custodial 
sentence, an increase of one percentage point compared to a year ago and is up 
13 percentage points over the longer term (since Q4 2007). The proportion of 
adult offenders given cautions has fallen significantly over time where the latest 
proportion (13%) is one percentage point higher than in the same quarter a year 
ago, however, it has more than halved since the same period 7 years ago where it 
was 33%. 
 The proportion of adult offenders receiving suspended sentences has increased 
over time. A little over one in five (22%) of adult offenders received a suspended 
sentence in Q4 2014 compared to one in ten (10%) in Q4 2007.  
                                            
4 Since April 8
th 2013 youth cautions were introduced replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders. 
 
7

 
 
Figure 3: Proportion of type of disposal given for knife and offensive weapon 
possession for juveniles and adults, in England and Wales, Q4 2008, Q4 2013 
and Q4 2014 
   
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Juvenile
Q4 2008
Juvenile
Q4 2013
Juvenile
Q4 2014
Adult
Q4 2008
Adult
Q4 2013
Adult
Q4 2014
Proportion
Caution
Community sentence
Suspended sentence
Immediate custody
All other disposals
 
 
2: Knife possession offences by type of offence 
 A greater proportion of offences were for possession of an article with a blade or 
point compared to offences for possession of an offensive weapon (61% to 39% 
respectively).  
 The number of possession offences involving an article with a blade or point has 
increased by 5% compared to Q4 2013, while possession offences for an 
offensive weapon fell by 5% over the same period.  
 The proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence for offences 
involving the possession of an article with a blade or point has increased by two 
percentage points since the same quarter a year ago and is now at its highest  
(20%) since their introduction. This proportion has more than doubled since Q4 
2007 where it was 9%  
 The proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence for offences involving 
an offensive weapon has remained relatively stable over the last year, but has 
more than doubled to 15% since Q4 2007 where it was 7% 
 Offenders convicted of offences involving the possession of an article with a blade 
or point are more likely to be given an immediate custodial sentence than 
offenders convicted of offences involving an offensive weapon, 30% compared to 
26%.  
 
8

 
 
Figure 4: Proportion of offences resulting in custodial sentences given for 
knife and offensive weapon possession in England and Wales, between Q1 
2008 and Q4 2014  
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
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
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
Proportion of all disposals
Possession of an offensive w eapon
Possession of an article w ith a blade or point
Possession of an offensive w eapon estimate
Possession of an article w ith a blade or point estimate
 
 
 
 Offenders convicted of offences involving an offensive weapon are more likely to 
be given a caution (22%) than offenders convicted of offences involving the 
possession of an article with a blade or point (where 11% were given cautions).  
 
Figure 5: Proportion of offences resulting in cautions for knife and offensive 
weapon possession in England and Wales, between Q1 2008 and Q4 2014 
   
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
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
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
Proportion of all disposals
Possession of an offensive weapon
Possession of an article with a blade or point
Possession of an offensive weapon estimate
Possession of an article with blade or point estimate
 
 
 
9

 
 
3: Knife possession offences by length of immediate custodial sentence 
 
 The average immediate custodial sentence length given for possession offences 
in the latest quarter was 224 days, or 7.5 months, compared to 215 days in Q4 
2013. This is 71% (or 3.1 months) longer than the 131 days given in Q4 2007. 
 
 Over time there has been an increase in the sentence length for offenders given 
immediate custodial sentences for possession offences. In the latest quarter, 39% 
of offenders were sentenced for over 6 months compared to only 13% of 
offenders at the end of 2007. While the proportion of offenders sentenced to 
immediate custody up to and including three months has fallen from 54% to 36% 
over the same period. 
 
4: Knife possession offences by Police Force Area 
 In the 12 months ending December 2014, the rate of offences involving the 
possession of a knife or offensive weapon ranged from 13 to 50 per 100,000 of 
the population for each police force area. 
  All police force areas have seen a decrease in the number of knife possession 
offences since the 12 months ending December 2008. 
5: Criminal history of those cautioned or sentenced for knife possession 
offences 
 The types of disposal given for knife possession offences are correlated with the 
number of previous cautions or convictions for possession offences. For offenders 
with no previous knife possession offences, 21% received a caution in the 12 
months ending December 2014 with 30% receiving a community sentence and 
20% given immediate custody. However, for offenders with at least one previous 
possession offence on their record, 45% were sentenced to immediate custody in 
the 12 months ending December 2014, while only 2% received a caution. 
 Juvenile offenders are more likely to receive a community sentence whether or 
not they have a previous knife possession offence. Juvenile offenders having one 
or more previous knife possession offence are more likely to receive a community 
sentence (66%) than those with no previous knife possession offences (55%). 
Only 1% of juvenile offenders received a caution after having a previous 
possession offence which compares to 33% of offenders with one or more 
previous possession offences. 
 The custody rate of adult offenders rises in relation with their number of previous 
possession offences, 23% of adult offenders with no previous conviction received 
an immediate custodial sentence compared to 59% for those with three or more 
previous offences.  
 
 
 
 
10

 
 
Figure 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 December 2014, in England and 
Wales 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disposal for offenders with no previous knife possession 
offences 
Discharges
4%
Fine
5%
Suspended 
sentence
16%
Immediate 
custody
20%
Other
5%
Caution
21%
Community
sentence
30%
Disposal for offenders with one or more previous knife 
possession offences 
Fine
4%
Community 
sentence
22%
Suspended 
sentence
19%
Caution
2%
Discharges
2%
Other
6%
Immediate
custody
45%
6: Aggravated knife or offensive weapon possession offences  
 On 3 December 2012, a new offence of aggravated knife possession came into 
effect and in the 12 months ending December 2014 a total of 426 offences (330 by 
adults, 96 by juveniles) have been formerly dealt with. 
 
 Of the 96 offences committed by juveniles, 61 offences were committed by 
offenders aged between 10 and 15 when sentenced. (Sentencing guidelines differ 
for these age bands as explained on page 4).  
 
 Of the 365 new offences of aggravated knife possession where offenders were 
aged 16 and over, 218 offences or 60% received an immediate custodial 
sentence, and 82% received either an immediate custodial sentence or suspended 
sentence order. These figures are provisional and are likely to change, in 
particular the number of immediate custodial sentences is likely to increase, once 
all sentences have been finalised. 
 
7: Offenders commencing probation  
 
 993 offenders started a court order under probation supervision for possession 
offences. This is down 4% from Q4 2013 but up 1% from the previous quarter.  
 The most common requirement placed on offenders starting court orders for 
possession offences was supervision – 33% of community orders (COs) and 37% 
of suspended sentence orders (SSOs). The next most common requirement was 
unpaid work – 25% of COs and 23% of SSOs, respectively.  
 Where unpaid work requirements were placed upon those starting a community 
order for possession offences, 42% were for less than 80 hours and 48% were for 
 
11

 
 
81 to 150 hours. For those starting suspended sentence orders, 24% were for 
under 80 hours and 56% were for 81 to 150 hours. 
 
Figure 7: 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 2014 
 
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
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
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
Number of Probation supervision court order starts
Pre Criminal Justice Act (CJA) orders
Suspended sentence order
Community order
 
 
 
 
 
8: Offenders in prison for knife possession offences 
 
 404 offenders were in prison serving a sentence for possession of an offensive 
weapon on 26 December 2014, down 4% from 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. 
 
12

 
 
Figure 8: Prison population under sentence for possession of an offensive 
weapon5 (excludes recalls) in England and Wales, between January 2008 and 
December 2014 
   
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Jan-08
Mar-08
May-08
Jul-08
Sep-08
Nov-08
Jan-09
Mar-09
May-09
Jul-09
Sep-09
Nov-09
Jan-10
Mar-10
May-10
Jul-10
Sep-10
Nov-10
Jan-11
Mar-11
May-11
Jul-11
Sep-11
Nov-11
Jan-12
Mar-12
May-12
Jul-12
Sep-12
Nov-12
Jan-13
Mar-13
May-13
Jul-13
Sep-13
Nov-13
Jan-14
Mar-14
May-14
Jul-14
Sep-14
Nov-14
Number of prisoners under immediate custodial sentence
Due to technical problems relating to the supply of statistical information, it is not possible to provide figures from July 2009 to March 2010
2009
2010
2013
2012
2011
2008
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                            
5 Includes having an article with a blade or a point. 
 
13

 
 
Annex 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  
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014 
E
Q2 2014 
E
Q3 2014 
E
Q4 2014 
E
England and Wales
2
4,767
3,974
3,923
3,915
3,851
4,126
3,950
1
Caution
3
860
769
584
556
621
628
616
5
Absolute/Conditional discharge
158
115
128
157
123
135
101
-21
Fine
196
151
197
166
203
188
194
-2
Community sentence
1,378
1,112
1,105
1,133
1,015
1,085
1,063
-4
Suspended sentence
577
539
640
605
626
689
702
10
Immediate custody
1,388
1,115
1,082
1,137
1,097
1,220
1,108
2
Other disposal
4
210
173
187
160
166
181
166
-11
Caution
3
18
19
15
14
16
15
16
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
Fine
4
4
5
4
5
5
5
Community sentence
29
28
28
29
26
26
27
Suspended sentence
12
14
16
15
16
17
18
Immediate custody
29
28
28
29
28
30
28
Other disposal
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
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.
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
1  The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guilty and may also be dependent on other offences 
committed at the same time.
2  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
3  Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth cautions were introduced on April 8th 2013 replacing reprimands and warnings for 
young offenders.  The guidance is published at the link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-
4   Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
Number of offences
Percentage of total offences
Number of offences and percentage change
Disposal Category
1
% change, 
Q4 2013 to 
estimated Q4 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

 
 
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 
   
Q4 20113
Q4 20123
Q4 20133
Q1 2014 E
Q2 2014 E
Q3 2014 E
Q4 2014 E
Aged 10 to 17
844
666
642
651
696
745
736
15
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions4
204
180
182
180
223
208
213
17
Absolute/conditional discharge
15
14
24
15
10
13
14
*
Fine
2
1
0
1
2
1
1
*
Community sentence
488
345
322
364
368
406
406
26
Suspended sentence
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
*
Immediate custody
100
78
79
69
62
78
71
-10
Other disposal5
35
48
35
22
31
39
31
*
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions4
24
27
28
28
32
28
29
Absolute/conditional discharge
2
2
4
2
1
2
2
Fine
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Community sentence
58
52
50
56
53
54
55
Suspended sentence
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Immediate custody
12
12
12
11
9
10
10
Other disposal5
4
7
5
3
4
5
4
Aged 18 and over
3,921
3307
3,279
3,263
3,155
3,381
3,214
-2
Caution
655
589
401
376
398
420
403
0
Absolute/Conditional discharge
143
101
104
142
113
122
87
-16
Fine
194
150
197
165
201
187
193
-2
Community sentence
890
766
782
769
647
679
657
-16
Suspended sentence
577
539
640
605
626
689
702
10
Immediate custody
1,288
1,037
1,003
1,068
1,035
1,142
1,037
3
Other disposal5
174
125
152
138
135
142
135
-11
Caution
17
18
12
12
13
12
13
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
Fine
5
5
6
5
6
6
6
Community sentence
23
23
24
24
21
20
20
Suspended sentence
15
16
20
19
20
20
22
Immediate custody
33
31
31
33
33
34
32
Other disposal5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
2  The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guilty and may also be dependent on other 
offences committed at the same time.
Number of offences and percentages
Disposal Category2
% change, 
Q4 2013 to 
estimated 
Q4 2014
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.
* Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
Number of offences
Percentage of total offences
3   The difference between the totals in Table 1 and the adult / juvenile breakdown is where there is no age recorded on the system 
4  Since April 8th 2013 youth cautions were introduced replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.The guidance is published at the link 
http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-disposals
Number of offences
Percentage of total offences
1  Includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
5   Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
 
 
 
 
 
15

 
 
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 
    
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014 E
Q2 2014 E
Q3 2014 E
Q4 2014 E
2,617
2,304
2,309
2,338
2,390
2,508
2,416
5
Caution3
334
352
263
243
322
306
274
4
Absolute/Conditional discharge
103
76
88
101
82
90
65
-26
Fine
117
92
121
105
117
109
126
4
Community sentence
833
681
664
716
651
704
660
-1
Suspended sentence
330
318
395
377
414
447
474
20
Immediate custody
778
683
668
713
705
755
713
7
Other disposal4
122
102
110
83
99
97
104
-5
Caution3
13
15
11
10
13
12
11
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
Fine
4
4
5
4
5
4
5
Community sentence
32
30
29
31
27
28
27
Suspended sentence
13
14
17
16
17
18
20
Immediate custody
30
30
29
30
29
30
30
Other disposal4
5
4
5
4
4
4
4
2,150
1,670
1,614
1,576
1,461
1,618
1,534
-5
Caution3
526
417
321
313
299
322
342
7
Absolute/Conditional discharge
55
39
40
56
41
45
36
*
Fine
79
59
76
61
86
79
68
-11
Community sentence
545
431
441
417
364
381
403
-9
Suspended sentence
247
221
245
228
212
242
228
-7
Immediate custody
610
432
414
424
392
465
395
-5
Other disposal4
88
71
77
77
67
84
62
-19
Caution1
24
25
20
20
20
20
22
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3
2
2
4
3
3
2
Fine
4
4
5
4
6
5
4
Community sentence
25
26
27
26
25
24
26
Suspended sentence
11
13
15
14
15
15
15
Immediate custody
28
26
26
27
27
29
26
Other disposal4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
Percentage of total offences
Number of offences and percentages
Disposal Category2
% change, 
Q4 2013 to 
estimated 
Q4 2014
Possession of an article with a 
blade or point
Number of offences
4   Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
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.
Possession of an offensive 
weapon
Number of offences
Percentage of total offences
3  Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth cautions were introduced on April 8th 2013 replacing reprimands and warnings for 
young offenders.  The guidance is published at the link http://www.justice gov.uk/out
1   England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
2  The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guilty and may also be dependent on other offences 
committed at the same time.
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
 
 
16

 
 
Table 4a: Proportion of knife and offensive weapon possession offences 
resulting in an immediate custodial sentence, by sentence length, in England 
and Wales1 
 
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
Up to and including 3 months
35
33
35
39
35
33
36
Over 3 months and up to and 
including 6 months
29
32
27
26
29
28
26
Over 6 months
36
35
38
35
36
39
39
2  Figures are based on the current figures and not the estimates used in Tables 1 to 3. 
3  Excludes life sentences.
Percentage of total offences
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
1  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Offences resulting in immediate custody
Sentence length3
 
 
 
 
Table 4b: Average sentence length of immediate custodial sentences for knife 
and offensive weapon possession offences in England and Wales 
    
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
% change, Q4 
2013 to  Q4 
2014
England and Wales1,2
218
214
215
211
221
241
224
4
Average Sentence length3
3  Excludes life sentences.
Average sentence length (days)
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
1  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
2  Figures are based on the current figures and not the estimates used in Tables 1 to 3.
 
 
 
 
 
17

 
 
Table 5: Offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence for the 12 months ending December of each 
year, split by police force area in England and Wales 
 
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
3
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
England and Wales
2
28,370
25,074
21,314
20,590
17,488
16,044
15,782
59
52
44
42
35
Avon and Somerset
766
676
572
527
514
415
356
55
48
41
37
36
Bedfordshire
313
325
286
252
237
181
195
61
63
55
48
44
Cambridgeshire
311
285
218
262
192
180
176
46
42
31
37
27
Cheshire
386
343
251
283
251
242
225
43
38
28
31
27
City of London
31
32
25
31
25
17
15
*
*
*
*
*
Cleveland
433
401
354
386
281
269
244
89
82
72
79
57
Cumbria
214
230
171
168
163
139
126
48
51
38
37
36
Derbyshire
418
314
319
351
271
225
273
47
35
36
39
30
Devon & Cornwall
582
528
422
398
307
299
328
39
36
28
27
20
Dorset
275
212
223
179
176
142
143
42
32
34
27
26
Durham
339
345
278
316
268
237
230
63
63
51
58
49
Dyfed-Powys
166
161
146
126
130
128
112
36
35
32
27
28
Essex
820
758
617
583
449
467
453
58
54
42
42
29
Gloucestershire
246
179
135
140
110
111
114
47
34
26
26
21
Greater Manchester
1444
1352
1132
1062
958
817
744
63
59
49
46
41
Gwent
343
260
231
258
186
160
131
69
52
46
51
36
Hampshire
781
688
583
499
447
411
387
48
42
35
30
27
Hertfordshire
399
380
332
303
301
207
236
42
40
35
31
31
Humberside
508
529
444
455
313
296
282
63
65
55
56
38
Kent
750
657
471
495
380
367
379
51
44
32
33
25
Lancashire
775
680
690
632
594
535
474
60
53
54
49
46
Leicestershire
420
329
344
298
258
224
231
48
38
39
33
29
Lincolnshire
307
262
242
228
194
181
180
49
42
38
36
30
Merseyside
898
836
648
621
552
482
503
74
69
53
51
45
Metropolitan Police
5517
4567
3997
4004
3143
3152
3317
82
67
58
57
44
Norfolk
314
263
278
277
220
190
214
42
35
37
36
29
North Wales
319
286
222
203
211
165
216
53
47
36
33
34
North Yorkshire
286
251
198
201
197
149
184
41
36
28
28
27
Northamptonshire
265
291
226
243
188
186
181
45
49
38
40
31
Northumbria
984
979
749
695
585
544
496
78
78
59
55
46
Nottinghamshire
617
591
543
502
466
447
407
65
62
57
52
48
South Wales
657
593
561
454
456
398
361
59
53
50
40
40
South Yorkshire
695
624
554
509
428
399
439
60
54
47
43
36
Staffordshire
392
373
327
328
316
254
301
41
39
34
34
32
Suffolk
237
254
183
168
181
183
152
38
40
29
26
28
Surrey
287
249
208
231
178
146
135
30
26
21
23
18
Sussex
717
602
486
427
429
373
357
52
43
34
30
30
ThamesValley
858
660
614
581
468
460
376
45
34
31
30
24
Warwickshire
178
165
124
127
102
97
94
37
34
26
26
21
West Mercia
485
419
399
373
328
244
279
45
39
37
34
30
West Midlands
1890
1583
1226
1216
1008
964
810
82
68
53
52
43
West Yorkshire
898
841
765
741
638
563
594
47
44
40
38
33
Wiltshire
195
213
175
137
106
129
93
34
36
30
23
18
3  Figures in this table are based on current figures and do not use the estimation method used in Tables 1 to 3. 
* Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
2  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police
Police Force Area
1 Population has been based on mid-year population estimates for each age group supplied by the Office for National Statistics. The previous year's estimate has been used for calculating the rate in the subsequent year. For example, the 2007 mid-yea
calculating the rate for 2008 and so on.
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
Number of offences as  a rate per 
Number of offences
12 months ending December
12 months ending December
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18

 
 
Table 6a: 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 December 2014, in England and Wales6 
   
0
1
2
3 or more
Total
England and Wales
2
11,203
2,262
761
604
14,830
Caution
3
2,307
59
13
11
2
Absolute/Conditional discharge
399
59
14
8
480
Fine
572
92
17
19
Community sentence
3,384
577
140
96
4,197
Suspended sentence
1,822
458
145
82
2,507
Immediate custody
2,198
876
386
358
3,818
Other disposal
,390
700
4
521
141
46
30
738
Caution
3
21
3
2
2
1
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4
3
2
1
Fine
5
4
2
3
Community sentence
30
26
18
16
28
Suspended sentence
16
20
19
14
17
Immediate custody
20
39
51
59
26
Other disposal
4
5
6
6
5
3 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth cautions were introduced on April 8th 2013 
replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.  The guidance is published at the link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-
disposals.
4  Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
5 Please note that the figures in this table are based on current figures and not the estimates used in Tables 1 to 3. In particular the 
number of immediate custodial sentences will rise as sentences passed by the Crown court become available on the Police National 
Computer.
6 Figures are based on counting the number of cautioning and sentencing occasions for offences committed by offenders. Offenders may 
appear more than once in the year, where they have been sentenced on multiple occasions within the year.
Number of offenders
1 The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guilty and may 
also be dependent on other offences committed at the same time .
2 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Source:Police National Computer (PNC)
Percentage
Number of previous convictions/cautions
Number of previous convictions / cautions
Disposal Category1,5
6
3
5
5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19

 
 
Table 6b: 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 December 2013, in England and Wales 
 
0
1
2
3 or more
Total
England and Wales
2
11,201
2,379
809
668
15,057
Caution
3
2,589
95
15
9
2
Absolute/Conditional discharge
401
72
20
19
512
Fine
594
110
18
19
741
Community sentence
3,251
614
169
101
4,135
Suspended sentence
1,600
420
135
117
2,272
Immediate custody
2,338
965
407
374
4,084
Other disposal
,708
4
428
103
45
29
605
Caution
3
23
4
2
1
1
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4
3
2
3
Fine
5
5
2
3
Community sentence
29
26
21
15
27
Suspended sentence
14
18
17
18
15
Immediate custody
21
41
50
56
27
Other disposal
4
4
4
6
4
1 The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guitly and may 
also dependent on other offences committed at the same time .
2 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Source:Police National Computer (PNC)
3 Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth cautions were introduced on April 8th 2013 
replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.  The guidance is published at the link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-
disposals.
4 Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
5 Figures are based on counting the number of cautioning and sentencing occasions for offences committed by offenders. Offenders may 
appear more than once in the year, where they have been sentenced on multiple occasions within the year.
Percentage
Number of offenders
Number of previous convictions/cautions
Number of previous convictions / cautions
Disposal Category1,5
8
3
5
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
20

 
 
Table 7a: 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 December 2014, split by age group in 
England and Wales1,6  
0
1
2
3 or more
Total
Aged 10 to 17
7
2,385
264
44
17
2,710
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions
3
795
4
0
0
799
Absolute/Conditional discharge
43
3
0
0
46
Fine
4
1
0
0
5
Community sentence
1,313
186
24
6
1,529
Immediate custody
148
51
17
10
226
Other disposal
4
82
19
3
1
105
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions
3
33
2
*
*
29
Absolute/Conditional discharge
2
1
*
*
Fine
0
0
*
*
Community sentence
55
70
*
*
56
Immediate custody
6
19
*
*
Other disposal
4
3
7
*
*
Aged 18 and over
7
8,817
1,998
717
587
12,119
Caution
1,512
55
13
11
1,591
Absolute/Conditional discharge
356
56
14
8
434
Fine
568
91
17
19
695
Community sentence
2,070
391
116
90
2,667
Suspended sentence
1,822
458
145
82
2,507
Immediate custody
2,050
825
369
348
3,592
Other disposal
4
439
122
43
29
633
Caution
17
3
2
2
13
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4
3
2
1
Fine
6
5
2
3
Community sentence
23
20
16
15
22
Suspended sentence
21
23
20
14
21
Immediate custody
23
41
51
59
30
Other disposal
2
0
8
4
4
6
4
5
6
6
5
Source:Police National Computer (PNC)
Number of previous convictions / cautions
3 Since April 8th 2013 youth cautions were introduced replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.The guidance is published at the 
link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-disposals.
2 The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guilty and may also be 
dependent on other offences committed at the same time.
Disposal Category2,5
Number of previous convictions/cautions
Number of offenders
1 England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Percentage
Number of offenders
Percentage
* Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50. For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
4 Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
5 Please note that the figures in this table are based on current figures and not the estimates used in Tables 1 to 3. In particular the number of 
immediate custodial sentences will rise as sentences passed by the Crown court become available on the Police National Computer.
6 Figures are based on counting the number of cautioning and sentencing occasions for offences committed by offenders. Offenders may appear 
more than once in the year, where they have been sentenced on multiple occasions within the year.
7 The difference between the totals in Table 6a and the adult / juvenile breakdown in this table, is where there is no age recorded on the system. 
5
   
 
21

 
 
Table 7b: 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 December 2013, split by age group in 
England and Wales1,6  
0
1
2
3 or more
Total
Aged 10 to 17
6
2,176
242
47
17
2,482
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions
3
735
12
0
0
7
Absolute/Conditional discharge
65
10
1
2
78
Fine
6
0
0
0
Community sentence
1,094
138
19
4
1,255
Immediate custody
178
57
19
10
264
Other disposal
47
6
4
98
25
8
1
1
Reprimands & warnings/Youth cautions
32
3
34
5
*
*
30
Absolute/Conditional discharge
3
4
*
*
Fine
0
0
*
*
Community sentence
50
57
*
*
51
Immediate custody
8
24
*
*
Other disposal
4
3
0
11
5
10
*
*
5
Aged 18 and over
6
9,022
2,136
762
651
12,571
Caution
1,853
83
15
9
1,960
Absolute/Conditional discharge
336
62
19
17
434
Fine
588
110
18
19
735
Community sentence
2,156
475
150
97
2,878
Suspended sentence
1,600
420
135
117
2,272
Immediate custody
2,159
908
388
364
3,819
Other disposal
4
330
78
37
28
473
Caution
21
4
2
1
Absolute/Conditional discharge
4
3
2
3
Fine
7
5
2
3
Community sentence
24
22
20
15
23
Suspended sentence
18
20
18
18
18
Immediate custody
24
43
51
56
30
Other disposal
16
3
6
4
4
4
5
4
Source:Police National Computer (PNC)
Number of offenders
6  The difference between the totals in Table 6b and the adult / juvenile breakdown in this table, is where there is no age recorded on the system. 
Percentage
4  Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
5 Figures are based on counting the number of cautioning and sentencing occasions for offences committed by offenders. Offenders may appear 
more than once in the year, where they have been sentenced on multiple occasions within the year.
* Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50. For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
Number of previous convictions / cautions
3  Since April 8th 2013 youth cautions were introduced replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.The guidance is published at the 
link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-disposals.
2  The disposal given in this table is only the most severe of the disposals given as a result of the offender being found guilty and may also be 
dependent on other offences committed at the same time.
Disposal Category2
Number of previous convictions/cautions
Number of offenders
1  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Percentage
4
 
22

 
 
Table 8: Offences involving threatening with a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence in England and Wales, Q3 2013 to Q4 2014  
   
Disposal Category
 Q4 2013
 Q1 2014
 Q2 2014
 Q3 2014
 Q4 2014
12 months 
ending 
December 
2014
England and Wales
1
68
83
105
112
126
426
Caution
2
2
3
2
3
6
Absolute/Conditional discharge
0
0
0
2
0
2
Fine
0
0
0
0
0
0
Community sentence
12
17
23
17
21
78
Suspended sentence
10
20
11
20
29
80
Immediate custody
43
38
61
64
62
225
Other disposal
3
1
5
8
6
8
Caution
2
3
4
2
3
5
Absolute/Conditional discharge
0
0
0
2
0
Fine
0
0
0
0
0
Community sentence
18
20
22
15
17
18
Suspended sentence
15
24
10
18
23
19
Immediate custody
63
46
58
57
49
53
Other disposal
14
27
3
0
0
3
1
6
8
5
6
6
1  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
Percentage
Number of offences
5 Figures in this table are based on current figures and do not use the estimation methodology used for Tables 1 to 3.
Number of offences and percentages
2  Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth cautions were introduced on April 8th 2013 
replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.  The guidance is published at the link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-disposals
3  Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on conviction.
4  An additional breakdown showing previous knife possession offences for these offenders is available in table 8b.
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
 
 
23

 
 
Table 9: Offences involving threatening with a knife or offensive weapon 
resulting in a caution or sentence by age group in England and Wales, 12 
months ending December 2014  
 
10-15
16-17
England and Wales1,4
330
61
35
426
Caution2
6
8
0
Absolute/Conditional discharge
2
0
0
Fine
0
0
0
Community sentence
22
41
15
78
Suspended sentence
80
0
0
Immediate custody
201
7
17
225
Other disposal3
19
5
3
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
1  England and Wales includes all 43 police force areas and the British Transport Police.
5 Please note the figures in this table are based on current figures and do not use the estimation methodology used for 
Tables 1 to 3.
Number of offences
2  Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth cautions were introduced on 
April 8th 2013 replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders.  The guidance is published at the link 
http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-disposals
3  Includes cases where an offender is committed to crown court for sentencing and is otherwise dealt with on 
conviction.
4  An additional breakdown showing previous knife possession offences for these offenders is available in table 8b.
Juveniles 
Number of offences
Adults 
Total
Disposal Category
14
2
0
80
27
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24

 
 
Table 10: Offenders commencing a court order under probation supervision for 
possession of an offensive weapon1, in England and Wales 
      
 
Court order starts
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 20142
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
number of starts
England and Wales
1,172
1,084
1,032
1,034
859
988
993
-4
Community order
727
662
621
614
475
517
558
-10
Suspended sentence order
445
422
411
420
384
471
435
6
percentage of total starts
Community order
62
61
60
59
55
52
56
Suspended sentence order
38
39
40
41
45
48
44
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 and are subject to revision in future editions.
1  Includes having an article with a blade or a point.
% change, 
Q4 2013 to 
Q4 2014
Number of starts and percentages
2 The number of starts in the quarter April to June 2014 are slightly under-counted due to a change in the data collection methodology and the transition from 
probation trusts to NPS Divisions/CRCs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25

 
 
Table 11: Requirement starts for possession of offensive weapon1, in England 
and Wales 
 
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 20142
Q3 2014
Q4 2014
% change 
Q4 2013 to 
Q4 2014
Number of requirements
Community order
1,246
1,049
1,000
985
804
843
995
-1
  Unpaid Work                           
399
335
270
289
207
249
247
-9
  Supervision                           
415
345
358
327
271
292
333
-7
  Curfew                                
132
57
97
125
109
99
116
20
  Accredited program                   
69
49
59
37
46
40
59
0
  Specified activity                    
103
37
91
95
66
88
86
-5
  Drug treatment                        
38
95
31
37
29
32
33
*
  Alcohol treatment                     
51
93
44
43
34
20
35
*
  Mental health                         
11
16
20
9
11
11
20
*
  Exclusion                             
7
4
5
5
4
0
11
*
  Residential                           
7
4
2
5
5
2
4
*
  Attendance centre                     
8
10
20
11
10
7
14
*
  Prohibited activity                   
6
4
3
2
12
3
37
*
Percentage of total requirements
Unpaid work 
32
32
27
29
26
30
25
Supervision 
33
33
36
33
34
35
33
Curfew                                
11
5
10
13
14
12
12
Other requirements
24
30
28
25
27
24
30
Number of requirements
Suspended sentence order
770
767
679
658
590
876
803
18
  Unpaid work                           
205
193
160
168
147
225
182
14
  Supervision                           
269
274
250
236
208
314
297
19
  Curfew                                
89
75
75
78
78
90
95
27
  Accredited program                   
61
57
61
50
47
84
73
20
  Specified activity                    
73
78
65
48
51
76
59
-9
  Drug treatment                        
21
26
23
29
19
16
24
*
  Alcohol treatment                     
25
35
23
27
19
45
36
*
  Mental health                         
3
2
9
2
3
3
6
*
  Exclusion                             
2
3
4
4
3
8
6
*
  Residential                           
12
16
3
2
4
4
2
*
  Attendance centre                     
5
2
3
10
3
7
8
*
  Prohibited activity                   
5
6
3
4
8
4
15
*
Percentage of total requirements
Unpaid work 
27
25
24
26
25
26
23
Supervision 
35
36
37
36
35
36
37
Curfew                                
12
10
11
12
13
10
12
Other requirements
27
29
29
27
27
28
29
1  Includes having an article with a blade or a point.
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 and are subject to revision in future editions.
2 The number of starts in the quarter April to June 2014 are slightly under-counted due to a change in the data collection methodology and the transition from 
probation trusts to NPS Divisions/CRCs 
*Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50.  For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes.
 
 
 
26

 
 
Table 12: Unpaid work requirements started by length of requirement given for 
possession of offensive weapon1, in England and Wales 
    
Q4 2011
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Q1 2014
Q2 2014
3 Q3 2014
3
Q4 2014
3
% change Q4 
2013 to Q4 
2014
Number of requirements
Community order
2
440
368
269
269
171
172
187
-30
0-80 hours                      
174
144
117
117
71
48
79
-32
81-150 hours                  
191
165
105
105
68
97
89
-15
151-199 hours                
21
21
15
15
9
8
3
*
200-250 hours
48
36
32
32
23
19
16
*
251-300 hours
6
2
0
0
0
0
0
*
Percentage of total requirements
0-80 hours                      
40
39
43
43
42
28
42
81-150 hours                  
43
45
39
39
40
56
48
151-199 hours                
5
6
6
6
5
5
2
200-250 hours
11
10
12
12
13
11
9
251-300 hours
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Number of requirements
224
206
153
162
105
169
133
-13
0-80 hours                      
49
51
29
44
22
35
32
*
81-150 hours                  
122
106
83
83
59
93
74
-11
151-199 hours                
17
8
13
8
8
12
8
*
200-250 hours
31
38
26
25
16
25
18
*
251-300 hours
5
3
2
2
0
4
1
*
Percentage of total requirements
0-80 hours                      
22
25
19
27
21
21
24
81-150 hours                  
54
51
54
51
56
55
56
151-199 hours                
8
4
8
5
8
7
6
200-250 hours
14
18
17
15
15
15
14
251-300 hours
2
1
1
1
0
2
1
1  Includes having an article with a blade or a point.
2 The total unpaid work requirements in this table will not match those in Table 11, as the data sources used to collect the data are different.
Data Source and Quality
3 The  number of starts in these quarters are slightly under-counted due to a change in the data collection methodology and the transition from probation 
trusts to NPS Divisions/CRCs. It is hoped that numbers will return to expected levels in future quarter
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 and are subject to revision in future editions.
Suspended sentence 
order2
Number of requirements and percentages
 
 
  
 
 
27

 
 
Annex B: Assessing the accuracy of estimation method 
This appendix assesses the accuracy of the methodology introduced in the October 
to December 2013 bulletin, to estimate 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 were introduced to account for the changes seen 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. In particular the number of immediate custodial sentences recorded 
on the PNC was seen to increase significantly over time – as sentences passed by 
the Crown court became available on the system. As the scale of the changes to 
these figures over time was very stable, a new methodology was introduced to 
predict these final sentencing figures for the most recent four quarters.  
It has now been two years since this new methodology of estimating disposal figures 
was introduced; we continue to assess the accuracy of the estimation method used. 
Table 13 below illustrates the accuracy of the estimation process that was used to 
provide the statistics that were published for Q4 2013. 
Table 13: Changes in the number of disposals reported for knife possession 
offences in Q4 2013 between the non-estimated figures, the estimated figures 
and the final actual figures  
Disposal category
Q4 2013 - non 
estimated
Q 2013- 
estimated
Q4 2013 - actual 
figures
% change - non 
estimated to 
actual figures
% change - 
estimated to 
actual figures
Caution
568
578
584
3
1
Absolute/Conditional discharge
122
132
128
5
-
Fine
172
184
197
15
7
Community sentence
1,135
1113
1,105
-3
-1
Suspended sentence
627
612
640
2
5
Immediate custody
897
1083
1,082
21
0
Other disposal
357
195
187
-48
-4
All disposals
3,878
3,897
3,923
1
1
3
 
The table compares the Q4-2013 non-estimated and estimated figures by disposal 
group with the actual figures published one year on. As outlined above, figures show 
that there were large differences between the non-estimated and the actual final 
figures for those receiving an immediate custodial sentence or other disposal, with 
differences of 21% and 48% respectively. When comparing the estimated figures for 
these disposals there is less change between the two, with figures differing by 
around 0-4%. This shows that the methodology being used has been successful in 
predicting the changes seen in disposals over the year and future bulletins will 
continue to use this methodology. We will continue to review this methodology and 
provide updates on the accuracy of our estimates. 
 
In the future we are going to be looking into extending this estimation methodology 
for the aggravated knife offences.   
 
 
28

 
 
Annex C: Explanatory notes 
Data quality and sources 
Tables 1 to 9  
The statistics presented in tables 1 to 9 in this Bulletin are drawn from an extract of 
data held on the Police National Computer (PNC) as at 06 February 2015. 
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 Q4 2012 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 
this has been reviewed in Appendix B. 
Tables 10 to 12 and Figures 7 and 8 
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 
 
29

 
 
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.  
 
 
30

 
 
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) and  
 Ministry of Defence (MOD)  
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 
 
31

 
 
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). 
Aggravated knife offence codes include: The PNC data (tables 8 and 9) produced 
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. 
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 adults only.  
 
32

 
 
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. 
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/year-ending-september-
2014/stb-crime-in-england-and-wales--year-ending-september-2014.html#tab-
Offences-involving-knives-and-sharp-instruments 
 
Additional (Tables 9 and 10) information on recorded crime for selected violent and 
sexual offences involving a knife or sharp instrument and offences involving firearms: 
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-
xx-xxxx-xxxx 
 
 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 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33

 
 
 
34
Contact Points 
 
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 the analysis should be directed to: 
 
 
Craig Medhurst  
Ministry of Justice 
Justice Statistical 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 United Kingdom is 
available from www.statistics.gov.uk 
 
 
 
 
 
© Crown copyright 2015 
Produced by the Ministry of Justice 
You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or 
medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit 
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or email: 
xxx@xxx.xx 
Where we have identified any third party copyright material you will need to obtain 
permission from the copyright holders concerned.