Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: April to June 2023
Trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
Contents
2. Knife and offensive weapon offences overview
5. Sentencing under the Sentencing Act 2020
7. Future publications and contact details for any queries or feedback
This publication presents key statistics describing the trends in the number of offenders receiving cautions and convictions for
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possession of an article with a blade or point
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possession of an offensive weapon, or
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threatening with either type of weapon
in England and Wales. Please note that cases still awaiting final decisions are no longer accounted for using estimation methodology. These are generally cases in the latest periods and are now counted as ‘other’ disposals until final decisions are made unless separately specified.
Accompanying files
As well as this bulletin, the following products are published as part of this release:
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ODS format tables containing data on knife or offensive weapon offences up to June 2023
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An interactive table tool to look at previous offences involving possession of a blade, point or offensive weapon. The tool provides further breakdowns by gender, police identified ethnicity and prosecuting police force area. The data used in the tool is also included as a separate csv file.
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An interactive Sankey diagram looking at outcomes for offenders sentenced for these offences by whether or not they have a previous conviction or caution for possession of a blade, point or offensive weapon; which includes breakdowns by gender, age group and offence type.
Main points
| Point | Change | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| The number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) has decreased since year ending (YE) June 2022 but is higher than at the very start of the pandemic. | Decrease | In year ending (YE) June 2023 18,910 knife and offensive weapon offences were formally dealt with by the CJS. This is a decrease of 3% from YE June 2022, but is 2% higher than in YE June 2020 when the work of the courts was impacted by restrictions imposed at the very start of the pandemic. |
| The proportion of offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence fell from 38% in YE June 2020 to 31% in YE June 2023. | Decrease | This had been broadly stable at 38%-39% between YE June 2018 and YE June 2020 before falling to 31%-32% in each of the following years. In this period there was a corresponding increase in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence from 20% in YE June 2020 to 25% in YE June 2023. |
| For 69% of offenders this was their first knife or offensive weapon possession offence. | Decrease | The proportion of offenders for whom this is their first knife or offensive weapon possession offence has been decreasing over the last decade, from 75% in YE June 2013 to 69% in YE June 2023. |
| The average custodial sentence received by offenders sentenced for convictions under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 was 7.7 months in YE June 2023. | Increase | This had decreased from 7.7 months in YE June 2020 to 7.4 months in both YE June 2021 and YE June 2022 but increased again in YE June 2023. |
1. Statistician’s comment
“This publication covers the period to year ending (YE) June 2023. Figures from March 2020 onwards have been impacted by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions imposed (court closures, pauses to jury trials and remote hearings, and the prioritisation of cases as courts reopened). Figures for Q2 and Q3 2022 may also have been impacted by industrial action taken by the Criminal Bar Association. This should be borne in mind when making comparisons.
Over the most recent year, the number of knife and offensive weapon cases dealt with decreased by 3% to 18,910; a reduction which may in part be due to the industrial action mentioned above. Before the pandemic, between YE June 2013 and YE June 2019, there had been an increase of 38% in the number of cases dealt with by the Criminal Justice System; with 22,470 offences dealt with in YE June 2019. The impact of pandemic restrictions led to a decrease of 17% between YE June 2019 and YE June 2020. After increasing 12% between YE June 2020 and YE June 2021 as courts reopened the number of cases dealt with has fallen in each of the following two years.
The proportion of offenders receiving immediate custody in YE June 2023 was 31%, one percentage point lower than in YE June 2022. Between YE June 2018 and YE June 2020 it had been 38%-39%, but this fell to 31% in YE June 2021 and remained broadly stable over the following two years. A corresponding increase is evident in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence (25% in YE June 2023, up from 20% in YE June 2020). There have likely been factors that emerged during and since the pandemic that have influenced sentencing decisions.”
2. Knife and offensive weapon offences overview
The number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the CJS has decreased since year ending (YE) June 2022 but is higher than at the very start of the pandemic.
In YE June 2023 18,910 knife and offensive weapon offences were formally dealt with by the CJS. This is a decrease of 3% from YE June 2022, but is 2% higher than in YE June 2020 when the work of the courts was impacted by restrictions imposed at the very start of the pandemic.
In April to June 2020, the first quarter affected by Covid-19 restrictions, there was a 52% fall in the number of offences dealt with compared to the same quarter in 2019, from 5,731 to 2,773. This went back up to 5,417 in Q3 2020 but has generally fallen since then. In April to June 2023 there were 4,608 cases dealt with, 5% lower than in the same quarter of 2022 and 20% lower than in the same quarter of 2019 before the pandemic.
Figure 1: Knife and offensive weapon offences by offence type, England and Wales, annually from year ending June 2013 (Source: Table 1a)
Figure 1 shows that the previous increase between YE June 2013 and YE June 2019 was driven by possession of an article with a blade or point offences, which increased 52% over the period compared to 6% for possession of offensive weapon offences. Between YE June 2019 and YE June 2020 there was a decrease for all three offence types in the number of offences dealt with as the work of courts was restricted by lockdown measures imposed at the start of the pandemic. Possession of blade or point offences then increased the most between YE June 2020 and YE June 2021 as courts reopened (14% compared to 12% for possession of offensive weapon offences) and was the only offence type to see an increase in the number of offences dealt with between YE June 2022 and YE June 2023. The number of threatening offences dealt with fell by 59% over the period while the number of possession of offensive weapon offences dealt with fell by 8%.
The changes in possession of blade or point offences, as described above, means that this offence type now accounts for a bigger proportion of knife and offensive weapon offences. In YE June 2023, possession of blade or point offences accounted for 7 in 10 (70%) knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with compared to 58% in YE June 2013, while possession of offensive weapon offences accounted for 28% of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with in YE June 2023 compared to 42% in YE June 2013.
There has also been a change in the make-up of offenders involved in the offences dealt with by the CJS. In YE June 2023 83% of the offences dealt with involved adult offenders, annually the highest proportion since YE June 2014.
The recent police recorded crime figures published by the ONS showed a 16% increase in the number of knife and offensive weapon offences recorded from 43,003 in YE June 2022 to 49,830 in YE June 2023. Information published by the Home Office on “Crime outcomes in England and Wales” showed that 40% of these offences resulted in a charge or police caution in the year ending March 2023. This is down from 43% in year ending March 2022.
3. Sentencing
The proportion of offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence fell from 38% in YE June 2020 to 31% in YE June 2023.
This had been broadly stable at 38%-39% between YE June 2018 and YE June 2020 before falling to 31%-32% in each of the following years. In this period there was a corresponding increase in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence from 20% in YE June 2020 to 25% in YE June 2023.
Figure 2: Knife and offensive weapon offences by disposal type, England and Wales, annually from year ending June 2013 (Source: Table 1)
Between YE June 2013 and YE June 2018 there was an increase in the proportion of offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence, from 28% to 38%, which then remained broadly stable at 38% or 39% until YE June 2020 before falling to 31% in YE June 2021. It then remained between 31% and 32% over the following two years. The latest year (2023) is more subject to change than other years due to more offences being committed to the Crown Court for sentencing and awaiting a final decision. These cases are recorded as other disposals until a final decision is reached and are more common in the latest year as they have had less time to complete. It is likely that there have been factors that emerged during and since the pandemic that have influenced sentencing decisions.
The proportion of adults receiving immediate custody followed a similar trend and remained stable at around 44% to 46% between YE June 2018 and YE June 2020 before falling to 36% to 38% in each of the following years. For 10–17-year-olds the proportion receiving immediate custody fell from 10% in YE June 2020 to 7%-8% in each of the following years, having previously been between 11% and 14% from YE June 2013 to YE June 2019.
The chart also shows that between YE June 2020 and YE June 2023 there was a corresponding increase in the proportion of offenders receiving a suspended sentence (20% to 25%), making it the second most common disposal in YE June 2023. Please note, however, that the picture for this latest year could potentially change as cases referred to the Crown Court for sentencing receive final decisions.
The proportion of offenders who received a caution generally decreased between YE June 2013 and YE June 2017. From then until the latest year, except for YE June 2020 when the work of the courts was affected by restrictions imposed in the pandemic, it remained broadly stable between 11% and 12%. In YE June 2023 only 10% of offenders received a caution.
Over the long term the average custodial sentence length has generally increased, particularly for possession of blade and point offences. Between YE June 2013 and YE June 2020, the average custodial sentence length for possession of an offensive weapon has been consistently higher than that for possession of an article with a blade or point though the gap has been reducing in the later part of the period. Since YE June 2021, they have become very similar each year. In YE June 2023 the average custodial sentence length for possession of a blade or point was 7.5 months while the average custodial sentence length for possession of an offensive weapon was 7.3 months. For possession of an article with a blade or point this is the highest YE average since the beginning of the series. The average custodial sentence length for threatening offences has been over 13 months since the year-ending June 2019, but at 14.6 months in YE June 2023 this was particularly high and the highest YE level since threatening offences were introduced in December 2012. However, please note that the small numbers make the figures for threatening offences more volatile than the figures for other offence types.
The average custodial sentence length for adults increased from 7.1 months in YE June 2013 to 7.9 months in YE June 2020. It fell to 7.5 months in YE June 2021 and remained broadly stable between 7.5 months and 7.6 months over the following two years. The average custodial sentence lengths for 10- to 17-year-olds have been more volatile due to the smaller numbers. It generally fell over the period from 8.2 months in YE June 2013, which was a particularly high figure in the series, to 7.0 months in YE June 2023.
4. Offending History
For 69% of offenders involved in the offences dealt with in YE June 2023 this was their first knife or offensive weapon possession offence.
The proportion of offenders for whom this is their first knife or offensive weapon possession offence has been decreasing over the last decade, from 75% in YE June 2013 to 69% in YE June 2023.
The decrease in the proportion of first-time knife and offensive weapon offenders has been seen for both adults and juveniles, with the proportion for adults decreasing from 72% to 67% between YE June 2013 and YE June 2023 and the proportion for 10- to 17-year-olds decreasing from 88% to 79% over the same period.
Figure 3: Number of previous cautions or convictions for the possession of a knife or offensive weapon offence for offenders cautioned or convicted for a knife or offensive weapon offence, England and Wales, annually from year ending June 2013 (Source: Interactive Pivot Table Tool)
Whilst the number of offenders with no previous knife and offensive weapon offence rose year on year between YE June 2014 and YE June 2019 (ending on 14,467), this made up a smaller proportion of offenders (as described above). The number of offenders with no previous knife and offensive weapon offence fell to 11,859 in YE June 2020, when fewer cases were dealt with, before rising again. The number of first- time knife and offensive weapon offenders rose to 13,677 in YE June 2021 but subsequent decreases between then and YE June 2023 to 11,877 meant that the number of first-time knife and offensive weapons offenders involved in the offences dealt with that year was similar to the number involved in the offences dealt with in YE June 2020.
A similar pattern can be seen in the number of offenders who have at least one previous knife or offensive weapon offence. Both rose between YE June 2013 to YE June 2019, followed by a fall in YE June 2020 when the work of the courts was affected by restrictions imposed during the pandemic and a rise the following year as courts reopened. However, over the next two years the number of offenders who have at least one previous knife or offensive weapon offence fluctuated slightly, ending on 5,353 in YE June 2023.
5. Sentencing under the Sentencing Act 2020
A court must impose a minimum custodial sentence on an offender who has been convicted of a second or subsequent offence of possession of a knife or offensive weapon unless it would not be in the interest of justice to do so. The minimum sentence provisions were first introduced in 2015 by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 but have since been repealed and replaced by s315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 . The Sentencing Act 2020 also sets minimum sentences for offenders convicted of threatening with a bladed article or offensive weapon, whether or not this was a first or subsequent offence. The bulletin has included analysis of these offences in tables 7a, 8a and 9a since the Q4 2022 publication.
The minimum sentence for an adult is 6 months imprisonment, and for a 16–17-year-old a 4-month Detention and Training Order. The court may reduce the sentence which would otherwise have met the minimum for an early guilty plea.
The average custodial sentence received by offenders sentenced for convictions under Section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 was 7.7 months in YE June 2023.
This had decreased from 7.7 months in YE June 2020 to 7.4 months in both YE June 2021 and YE June 2022 but increased again in YE June 2023.
Figure 4: Knife and offensive weapons possession sentencing occasions for adult repeat offenders, by disposal type, annually from year ending June 2017 (Source: Table 7a)
In YE June 2023, around three-fifths (63%) of adult offenders sentenced under section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 received an immediate custodial sentence. This has dropped from 73% in YE June 2019. Overall, 86% of adult offenders sentenced under section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 in YE June 2023 received some form of custodial sentence, either immediate custody or a suspended sentence, with 23% receiving a suspended sentence. The proportion receiving a suspended sentence increased from 18% in YE June 2020 to 23% in YE June 2021 and remained at 23% in each of the following years, reflecting the picture for all knife and offensive weapons offences dealt with. Please note, however, that YE June 2023 has a much higher number of cases referred to the Crown Court and awaiting sentencing than previous years as they have had less time to complete and the picture for this year is more subject to change when these cases receive final decisions.
For 16- and 17-year-olds, in YE June 2023, 36% of offenders sentenced under section 315 of the Sentencing Act 2020 received an immediate custodial sentence. The proportion of 16-17-year-old offenders dealt with under the legislation receiving an immediate custodial sentence fell from 46% in YE June 2020 to 33% in YE June 2021 and then rose slightly to 35% in YE June 2022 and 36% in YE June 2023. By contrast, the proportion of 16- and 17-year-olds receiving a community sentence increased from 43% in YE June 2020 to 57% in YE June 2021 but then fell slightly to 55% in each of the following two years. Please note, however, that for this age group a discount for an early guilty plea will lead to a non-custodial sentence as 4 months is the minimum period of custody given to an under 18.
6. Further information
The data presented in this publication are provisional and updated in each publication. Figures provided for more recent quarters are subject to change in future publications as ongoing cases pass through the Criminal Justice System.
A technical guide provides further information on how the data is collected and processed, as well as information on the revisions policy and legislation relevant to knife and offensive weapon sentencing.
Please also note that the bulletin now contains analysis of convictions for threatening offences under the Sentencing Act 2020. The minimum sentences set out are the same as for repeat possession offences but, for threatening offences, the offence can be a first offence or a subsequent offence. We welcome any comments or queries on these.
Official Statistics status
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OER). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact the OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.
7. Future publications
Next update: 15 February 2024
Our statisticians regularly review the content of publications. Development of new and improved statistical outputs is usually dependent on reallocating existing resources. As part of our continual review and prioritisation, we welcome user feedback on existing outputs including content, breadth, frequency and methodology. Please send any comments you have on this publication including suggestions for further developments or changes in content.
Contact
Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office:
Tel: 020 3334 3536
Email: newsdesk@justice.gov.uk
Other enquiries about, or feedback on, these statistics should be directed to the Data and Analysis division of the Ministry of Justice:
Alfie Britland,
Ministry of Justice,
102 Petty France,
London,
SW1H 9AJ
Email: MOJPNCteam@justice.gov.uk
© Crown copyright Produced by the Ministry of Justice. Alternative formats are available on request from MOJPNCteam@justice.gov.uk
8. Pre-release access
The bulletin was produced and handled by the ministry’s analytical professionals and production staff. Prior to publication pre-release access of up to 24 hours was granted to the following persons:
Ministry of Justice:
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – covering sentencing; Permanent Secretary; Minister and Permanent Secretary Private Secretaries (3); Special Advisors (2); Senior Policy Advisor, Custodial Sentencing Policy Unit; Head of Youth Justice Policy; Head of News and relevant press officers (3).
Home Office:
Home Secretary; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Crime and Policing; Minister Private Secretaries (2); Policy Advisor, Serious Violence Unit; Head of Media and relevant press officers (1).
Cabinet Office:
Crime and Justice lead