Emily ‘time to turn in knives’

15th February 2006

Emily Thornberry called on Islington residents to turn in their knives as she helped Home Office Minister Hazel Blears launch a national knife amnesty. The next day (Wednesday 15th Feb) three men were stabbed at Holloway Road tube station, demonstrating the importance of getting knives off the street.

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, announced the amnesty which, along with a tough police enforcement campaign, aims to drive home the message that carrying knives is not acceptable.

The incident at Holloway Road took place on the station’s platform at around 11.20pm.  One of the victims managed to stagger up to the ticket hall where he received first aid from London Underground staff.

Emily said:

‘The horrific attacks at Holloway Road station highlight what a major problem knife crime is.  I hope people take advantage of the amnesty to turn their knives in. People may think they are carrying a knife for their own protection, but they are wrong, as quite often things can get out of control and a knife might end up injuring or killing someone.  If you have a knife, for whatever reason, now is the time to get rid of it.’

Ms Blears said:

“Often those who carry a knife or dangerous weapon mistakenly believe they are protecting themselves and have no intention of becoming a murderer – but coupled with drink or drugs these weapons all too often lead to bloodshed.

"Please do the right thing for your community, stop carrying knives and hand any you have over to the police.  Remember this is a chance for you to come clean - but it is only for a limited time.’

Islington Police started a knife amnesty last week as part of the Metropolitan Police scheme: Operation Blunt. There are ‘no questions asked’ knife disposal bins at Islington and Holloway Police Stations. 

The Violent Crime Reduction Bill, currently before Parliament, is strengthening the laws on knives still further, and another meeting of the Home Office round-table focusing on gun, knife and gangs issues will be held in the Spring.

Editors Notes:

1. Photo of Hazel Blears MP, Minister of State for Crime, Security & Communities and Emily Thornberry MP.

2. Current legislation relating to knives:

• The Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits the carrying of any offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. A public place includes private premises to which the public have access. An offensive weapon is defined as any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person, or intended by the person for such use. Maximum penalty: six months imprisonment and/or £5000 fine.
• The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 prohibited the manufacture, sale, hire or offer for sale or hire, and importation of flick knives and gravity knives. Maximum penalty: six months imprisonment and/or £5000 fine.
• The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 1988 created an offence of having an article with a blade or point in a public place without good reason or lawful excuse. An exemption applies to folding pocket knives with a blade of less than three inches. Maximum penalty: up to two years imprisonment.    
• CJA 1988 also created a similar offence of having a knife or article with blade on school premises. Maximum penalty: up to four years imprisonment.
• CJA 1988 also prohibited the manufacture, sale, hire, offer for sale or hire of a range of weapons specified in the Criminal Justice Act (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988. These are mainly items designed to cause serious injury, for example knuckledusters, handclaws and certain martial arts equipment, or those which can be easily concealed, including swordsticks. Maximum penalty: six months imprisonment and/or £5000 fine.
• Offensive Weapons Act 1996 amended the 1988 Act to prohibit the sale of knives and certain articles with a blade or point to persons under the age of 16. Maximum penalty: six months imprisonment and/or £5000 fine.
• Knives Act 1997 created offences relating to the unlawful marketing of knives as suitable for combat, or in ways likely to stimulate or encourage violent behaviour. It also extended the power to stop and search in anticipation of violence contained in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Maximum penalty: six months imprisonment and/or £5000 fine.
• Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, as amended by the Knives Act 1997, contains a power under which an officer of inspector rank or above could, in certain circumstances, authorise police officers within a given area to stop and search for offensive weapons.

3. Provisions relating to knives in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill [see Home Office press notice 088/05] propose to

• raise the minimum age at which a young person can buy knife from 16 to 18.
• introduce a power for head-teachers and other members of staff to search pupils for knives.