Knife Crime Prevention Orders & Knife Crime Generally [2021]

The government acknowledges that knife crime is serious and on the 5th July 2021 new measures were introduced under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 to tackle knife crime. Criminal practitioners need an understanding of how the legislation works in relation to knife crime generally. The new legislation deals with both Adults (18+) and Youths (17 - 12). You may be called upon to give advice at the police station stage or to defend or prosecute (or advise the Magistrates’) in the Youth Court or Adult Magistrates’ Court. Crown Court issues will also be covered. The following will be explored during the session:

• Knife Crime Prevention Orders – the pilot and enforcement
• Orders upon complaint and Orders upon conviction for a ‘relevant offence’
• Duration and breach proceedings
• Notification Requirements and breach proceedings
• Appeals generally
• The consideration of a mandatory minimum sentence for second time possession of a knife/bladed article/offensive weapon – Adults and Youths
• The consideration of a mandatory minimum sentence for threatening someone with a knife/bladed article/offensive weapon – Adults and Youths
• Possible committal to the Crown Court for sentence under the Sentencing Code 2020.