Knife possession sentencing quarterly brief, October to December 2012
Quarterly statistical release on trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife or offensive weapon possession offences.
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Earlier editions: Knife possession sentencing quarterly brief
Quarterly statistical release on trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife or offensive weapon possession offences.
Introduction
The publication contains 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. As indicated in the previous edition of this bulletin published 6 December 2012, these statistics now includes estimates of the number and type of disposal given for possession of a knife or offensive weapon in the most recent 4 quarters. These estimates provide a much more accurate indication of outcomes for those found guilty of possessing a knife or offensive weapon.
Main findings - Q4 2012
Between Q4 2011 and Q4 2012 the number of disposals given for knife or offensive weapon possession has decreased by 17 per cent from 4,811 to 3,982.
The proportion of offences resulting in immediate custody decreased slightly since Q4 2011 but was an increase on Q4 2010. Both suspended sentences and cautions increased slightly while other disposal showed no change no change compared to a year ago.
The proportion of adults receiving a caution remained the same while the proportion of juvenile offenders receiving reprimands and warning decreased compared to Q4 2011.
- In Q4 2012, 20 per cent (778) of all possession offences resulted in a caution in England and Wales; compared to 19 per cent (914) in Q4 2011.
- In Q4 2012, 29 per cent (1,144) of all possession offences resulted in community sentences; compared to 29 per cent (1,397) in Q4 2011.
- In Q4 2012, 13 per cent (536) of all possession offences resulted in suspended sentence orders; compared to 12 per cent (586) in Q4 2011.
- In Q4 2012, 27 per cent (1,092) of all possession offences resulted in immediate custody; compared to 28 per cent (1,363) in Q4 2011.
The bulletin is produced and handled by the ministry’s analytical professionals and production staff. Pre-release access of up to 24 hours is granted to the following persons:
Ministry of Justice: Secretary of State, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Permanent Secretary, Policy advisers for Sentencing Policy and Penalties Unit, Head of the Community Sentences and Interventions in Youth Justice Policy Unit, Policy lead for Out of Court Disposals, Policy adviser for Out of Court Disposals, and relevant press officers and special advisers.
Home Office: Minister of State, Home Secretary, Head of Violent Crime Unit, Principle Research Officer - Alcohol and Violence, Senior Research Officer - Alcohol and Violence, Policy lead for Crime Strategy and Crime Statistics, and relevant press officers and special advisers.
Cabinet Office: Special adviser to the Prime Minister
Last updated 6 June 2013 + show all updates
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Change of document title to include time period covered.
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First published.