KNIFE LAWS IN THE UK

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KNIFE LAWS IN THE UK
As of 30 June 2006 Knife Amnesty period is over!
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Possession of a Blade or sharp point in a public
place

• Section 139 of the Criminal Justice act 1988
  created an offence of possession of a bladed or
  pointed article in a public place

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• This Section applies to any article which has a
  blade or is sharply pointed except a folding
  pocket-knife with a blade less than 3 inches long
  (that does not lock).
• If the folding pocket knife locks into place when
  opened, it is considered a fixed blade and is
  prohibited.

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What is a public place?

• According to the Prevention of Crime Act of
  1953, a public place includes any highway and any
  other premises or place to which the public have
  or are permitted to have access, whether on
  payment or otherwise.
• The interior of your car is considered public
  under the statute.

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When is an otherwise prohibited weapon legal
(exception to the rule)?

• The burden is on the defendant to prove that
  s/he had legally valid reason to carry the
  article
• ---For use at work
• ---For religious reason
• ---As a part of any national costume

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The following are Offensive and Prohibited
weapons

• The Criminal Justice Act of 1988 states that all
  of the following, except for weapons over 100
  years of age at the time of the offense, are
  considered offensive or prohibited weapons and
  are therefore banned in any public place

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Balisong or Butterfly Knife
a blade enclosed by its handle, which is designed
to split down the middle and without the
operation of a spring or other mechanical means
reveal the blade
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Push Dagger
a knife, the handle of which fits within a
clenched fist and the blade of which protrudes
from between two fingers (consider the blade
included in commercially available credit card
knives)
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Belt Buckle Knife
a buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife
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Hand Claw
a band of metal or other hard material, worn
around the hand, from which a number of sharp
spikes protrude (consider different types of
jewelry worn by teenagers and Gothic-attired
youth that may fall under this category)
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Shuriken, Shaken, or Death Star
a hard non-flexible plate having three or more
sharp radiating points and designed to be thrown
(i.e., Chinese throwing star)
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Swordstick
a hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade
which may be used as a sword
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Knuckleduster
a band of metal or other hard material worn on
one or more fingers, and designed to cause injury
(i.e., brass knuckles)
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Telescopic Truncheon/Auto Knives
a truncheon which extends automatically by hand
pressure applied to a button, spring, or other
device in or attached to its handle (i.e., flick
knife or switchblade)
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Manrikigusari or Kusari
a length of rope, cord, wire, or chain fastened
at each end to a hard weight or hand grip (i.e.,
nunchucks)
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Fixed Blades/Lock Knives
A folding pocketknife with a blade that locks
into place when opened is considered a fixed
blade knife and therefore is prohibited. The
length of the blade does not matter if it is
fixed or can be locked into place when opened it
is prohibited, (also leatherman/multi-tools,
tools that have lockable knife accessories)
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Disguised Knives
A concealed blade or concealed sharp point that
is designed to appear to be an everyday object of
a kind commonly carried on the person or in a
handbag, briefcase, or other hand luggage (such
as a comb, brush, writing instruments, cigarette
lighter, key, lipstick or telephone).
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Offensive and Prohibited weapons

• The above list is not exhaustive and other items
  may also be considered offensive weapons.
• Any average every day item could be considered
  an offensive weapon if used in an offensive
  manner (i.e., a baseball bat, hammer, butter
  knife etc).

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What are the punishments for processing an
offense or prohibited weapon?

• Either Way
• Six months imprisonment and/or a fine (up to
  5,000)
• Maximum
• Indictment Two years imprisonment and/or fine.

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Summary

• Remember the Amnesty Period for turning in
  knives ended 30 June 2006.
• Only folding pocket knives with blades less than
  3 inches long, that do not lock when opened, can
  be carried in a public place.
• Knives used to perform your duties may only be
  carried in your car or on your person if you are
  on duty (to and from work only).
• If you are going to and from work in a public
  place the burden is on you to prove you have it
  for work use.
• Non duty related knives should be left at home or
  secured on the installation.

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Need help disposing knives or offensive/prohibite
d articles? Contact PC Glover direct at Phone
07771614281
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Questions?

• For further information about knives in the UK,
  contact
• TSgt Brenholt 100 SFS/SFAD DP238-5317
• SrA Hoy 100 SFS/SFAS DP 238-5042
• PC Glover MOD Police DP 238-6032
• Mobile [phone]
• Or the Legal Office 238-2028