Knife crime is simply a crime that involves a knife.

- carrying a knife

- trying to buy a knife if you are under 18

- threatening someone with a knife

- owning a banned knife

- injuring or fatally wounding somebody with a knife

- intent to injure or harm somebody with a knife

- a robbery or burglary where a knife was carried as a weapon

For simply carrying a knife in a public place or on school premises, the maximum penalty if convicted is four years in prison. Those found on more than one occasion to be in possession of a knife face a minimum sentence of six months. For offences when a knife is used on another person or in the commission of a crime, the punishments become even more life-changing.

Leicestershire Police work together with the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and Office of the Police and violence linked to knives. Data, evidence and targeted work with individuals has been utilised to create behaviour change in the early stages. This includes targeted social media adverts, activities in schools, working with young people and projects aimed at improving safety and reducing knife carrying.

However, knife crime prevention does not rest on two weeks of the year alone. We can all play our part by educating ourselves to these initiatives and thinking about how to implement them into our roles through Prevention, Awareness and Enforcement.

Use the link below for further information.

www.leics.police.uk/livesnotknives