Look at some of the sharp facts below about the realities of knife crime…
Every nine days a teenager in the UK is stabbed.
Knives are the UK’s number one murder weapon.
Knife crime isn’t just a gang issue. 89 per cent of knife murders have nothing to do with gang crime.
It’s illegal to carry a knife, unless you have a legitimate reason.
Self-protection is not a reasonable excuse for carrying an offensive weapon.
Carrying a knife can mean four years in prison, even if you don’t use it.
It’s illegal to buy a knife if you’re under 18 years old.
The police can stop and search anyone they think is carrying a weapon.
It’s illegal to buy, sell or carry any type of banned knife.
You don’t have to just stab someone to be in trouble, under a law called ‘joint enterprise’ you could actually end up in prison too even if you didn’t touch or use the weapon.
By carrying a knife, you are much more likely to get stabbed yourself as situations involving weapons can quickly get out of control.
There is no ‘safe place’ to stab someone.
If you have a criminal record you might not be accepted into a college or university, get a job, or travel to some countries, like the USA, Canada or Australia.