Knife Crime
22,151 is the number of offences involving knives that the Police recorded last year.
14,000 is the number of people treated in hospital for stab wounds in 2007 (Department of Health statistics).
446 of those treated for stab wounds in 2007 were aged 14 and under (Department of Health statistics).
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What is an offensive weapon? An offensive weapon is any article made or adapted for use for causing injury, or intended for such use.
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The Law
The following are all arrestable offences:
- Possession of a sharp implement or bladed weapon in a public place.
- Selling, hiring, lending or giving an offensive weapon to a person under the age of 16.
- Possession of an offensive weapon on school premises.
- Offering for sale or hire an offensive weapon.
Police Officers can stop and search people where a serious problem is likely to arise or for offensive weapons and dangerous instruments. Refusing to be searched is an offence.
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Make a pledge! Be one of the million to pledge not to carry a knife and see other peoples pledges on the pledge wall at www.ntk.org.uk Return to top |
Stay Safe on the Streets
Think about how you are going to get to your destination and plan how to get home safely.
Make sure you tell someone where you are going to be.
Try to wait at bus stops in well-lit areas.
Use well-known, registered taxi companies and never accept a lift from an unlicensed mini-cab or stranger.
If you are walking plan your route and avoid unlit areas and alleyways especially if you are alone. If you walk a certain route alone on a regular basis, try to vary it.
If you travel alone on a regular basis buy a personal alarm and remember to always take it with you.
Conceal expensive jewellery, mobile phones, MP3 players and avoid carrying large sums of money when in public places.
Listening to your MP3 player or any other device with headphones whilst out and about makes you less alert and can prevent you from hearing any possible trouble approaching.
Remember to keep your keys in your pocket and after dark have them ready when nearing home to ensure your enter your house quickly.
Enter an ICE contact number into your mobile phone. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency.
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Useful Links Find out more at the links below... 
Channel 4 ran a series of programmes called Disarming Britain around the increasing use of violence and weapons by young people on the streets. Find out more at the following link:
www.channel4.com/news/microsites/D/disarming_britain/index knifecrimes.org is a Home Office website where you can look at knife crime through the eyes of the victims, their relatives and also the experts:
www.knifecrimes.org oneknifeonelife.co.uk is a website especially for young people providing information about knife crime with the slogan 'Bin Your Knife Save Your Life':
www.oneknifeonelife.co.uk |
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Thursday 28 August 2008
