Why do young people carry knives?
We do not have a massive knife crime problem in Lancashire and are experiencing the lowest crime rate in the county in over thirty years.
Need help?
If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime, report it.
You can give information anonymously on the Fearless website.
To speak to the police call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
You can also get help and advice from:
Nest Lancashire
Call 0300 111 0323 /text NEST and your number to 60777
Email info@nestlancashire.org
The law makes it illegal for people to have knives in public without "good reason or lawful authority", except for folding pocket knives with blades of no
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Have you ever felt pressure to join a gang?
Did you know?
The most at risk age group across the country are boys and men aged 14-24.
In Lancashire the average age of knife crime offenders is 17 and the average age of victims is 16.
8 out of 10 people who get attacked with a knife know their attacker.
Most knife crime occurs in the street and involves alcohol.
Ask Ed
If I am only carrying a knife or a gun for a friend, can I still get in trouble?
YES. If you are caught with a knife or a gun, regardless of whether you say it was for your own protection or you were carrying it for someone else, you will be arrested and prosecuted.
Does this mean I will have criminal record?
If you’re caught carrying a knife you will receive a criminal record which can affect your whole future, particularly when applying for jobs. A lot of young people don’t even think it will affect their future, but it really does.
How long a prison sentence could I get for carrying a knife?
It’s an offence to carry a knife in public, and you can face a penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a £5,000 fine for doing so.
If you’re caught with a knife at school you could be sentenced to four years in jail.
If you used a knife:
To actually stab someone with a knife you could receive six years or more in jail.
Murdering someone with a knife could get you 25 years or more in jail.
What about using a gun? If it’s an imitation gun – can I still get in trouble?
It is illegal to carry a knife or a gun, even an imitation one. If you are caught, you could still go to prison. Causing the death of someone with a gun carries a life sentence and you will serve a mandatory 30-year prison sentence.
I’ve heard about ‘joint enterprise’ – What is this?
If someone is injured or killed by a knife or gun in your presence, even if you’re not the one using the weapon, you too could be prosecuted. You could be sent to prison for murder in what is referred to as ‘joint enterprise’.
