Home Secretary Announces Planned Knife Crime Prevention Orders

The Government has announced its intention to amend the Offensive Weapons Bill 2017-19 to introduce Knife Crime Prevention Orders.

The Bill is currently winging its way through the House of Lords.

This new deterrent can be imposed on any person aged 12 or over to prevent vulnerable young people from becoming involved in knife possession and knife crime.

It can be imposed on anyone who police believe is carrying a knife, are habitual knife carriers or people previously convicted of a knife related offence.

This fills a gap which is not covered by existing preventative orders such as gang injunctions and criminal behaviour orders.

The Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, said: "I have been clear that I will do everything in my power to tackle the senseless violence that is traumatising communities and claiming too many young lives.

"The police already have a range of measures they are using to keep our streets safe, but there is more we can do to help them in this battle. I have listened to their calls and will be introducing these new orders to stop gang members carrying knives in the first place.

"It is vital we continue to focus on improving the law enforcement response while at the same time steering young people away from criminal activity in the first place."

The new civil orders will also restrict behaviour by placing curfews and geographical restrictions on individuals as well as limiting their social media use - preventing the rapid escalation of rival disputes.

To ensure compliance with these restrictions, breach of the order will be a criminal offence and the holder can be sent to prison for two years if convicted.

Police will apply for the orders in the courts and, if approved, they will last for a maximum of two years, with reviews after 12 months for adults or more frequently for juveniles.