What counts as knife crime
‘Knife crime’ is simply any crime that involves a knife.
This includes:
- carrying a knife or trying to buy one if you’re under 18
- threatening someone with a knife
- carrying a knife that is banned
- a murder where the victim was stabbed with a knife
- a robbery or burglary where the thieves carried a knife as a weapon
Carrying a knife
Some young people say that they carry a knife for protection or to make them feel safer, even though they wouldn’t think of using it. However, research has show that you’re actually more likely to become a victim of crime if you’re carrying a knife.
In some cases, teens have been injured or killed by someone else using the knife they were carrying.
There are much safer and easier ways to protect yourself.
Knife crime laws in Northern Ireland
There are quite a lot of different rules and laws that apply to knives. The main things you should be aware of are:
- if you’re under 18, it’s illegal to buy most types of knives
- anyone over 10 can be charged and taken to court if they’re caught with an illegal knife – even if it’s the first time they’ve been stopped by the police
- if you're caught carrying a knife, you could receive a community sentence, a fine or be detained in custody
- you could be searched at any time if a police officer thinks you may be carrying a knife
- even if you’re carrying a knife that you’re legally allowed to (like a penknife with a blade that’s shorter than three inches), it becomes illegal if you use it as a weapon to threaten or harm anyone
The maximum sentence for anyone found guilty of carrying an illegal knife is now four years. If you injure someone or use a knife to commit a crime the penalties could be a lot worse.
Helping to stop knife crime
If you have a knife and want to get rid of it, talk to an adult who you trust. They’ll be able to help you find the best way to dispose of it. You might also want to find out when your nearest police station runs a ‘knife amnesty’. During an amnesty, you can hand in your unwanted knife without having to answer questions from the police.
If you have information about knife crime in your area and you're nervous about going to the police, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They will never ask for your name or try to trace the number that you're calling from.