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Knife Crime Offences This Year

There are approximately 50,000 knife crime offences recorded in England and Wales each year, according to Home Office Crime Statistics. This equates to approximately 137 knife crime offences every day, or roughly one every 10 minutes.

Knife crime offences include all crimes in which a knife or sharp instrument was used or threatened to be used. The category covers robbery, assault with injury, assault with intent to cause serious harm, threats to kill, homicide, rape and sexual assault where a knife was involved.

Knife crime peaked in England and Wales in 2019 at approximately 46,000 offences, fell during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, and has since risen to record levels. London accounts for the highest concentration of knife crime of any police force area, recording approximately 15,000 offences per year — around 30% of the national total.

The government has introduced several measures to tackle knife crime including Knife Crime Prevention Orders (KCPOs), Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs), and funding for Violence Reduction Units in the highest-impact areas. The Serious Violence Duty, introduced under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, requires specified authorities to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence.

Carrying a knife in public without good reason is a criminal offence in England and Wales. Adults convicted of carrying a knife face up to 4 years in prison and an unlimited fine. Young people aged 16 or over who are convicted of carrying a knife for the second time face a minimum 6-month detention order.

Source: Home Office Crime Statistics, England and Wales · Data year: 2023/24 · All figures are statistical estimates calculated from official annual publications

How many knife crimes are there in the UK per year?

Approximately 50,000 knife crime offences are recorded in England and Wales each year, according to Home Office Crime Statistics for 2023/24. This equates to roughly 137 knife crimes per day or one every 10 minutes. London accounts for approximately 30% of all knife crime nationally.

Is knife crime increasing in the UK?

Knife crime in England and Wales has generally trended upward since 2014, reaching record levels in recent years. After a brief fall during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020/21, knife crime rose again to approximately 50,000 offences per year. The government has introduced Knife Crime Prevention Orders and Violence Reduction Units to address the trend.

What is the punishment for carrying a knife in the UK?

Carrying a knife in public without good reason is a criminal offence in England and Wales. Adults face up to 4 years in prison and an unlimited fine. Young people aged 16 or over convicted of carrying a knife for a second time face a minimum 6-month detention. Selling a knife to someone under 18 carries a maximum 6-month prison sentence.