Knives

Get the facts
Lancashire doesn't have the same levels of knife crime as cities like London and Birmingham and we don't have a major 'knife carrying' culture within the county. Even so, we're keen to wipe out any knife crime that does happen.

What's offensive?

If a knife is used in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife), it is regarded as an 'offensive weapon' by the law. This is also the case with things like screwdrivers - once used in a threatening manner, they are treated as offensive weapons.

It is against the law to carry an offensive weapon in a public place, if you don't have a reasonable excuse. This means that carrying something that could be viewed as an offensive weapon, and then using it in a threatening way, could mean that you are prosecuted.

There is a complete ban on the sale of certain types of knives categorised as offensive weapons, regardless of their use and these include:

• flick knives - knives where the blade is hidden inside the handle and shoots out when a button is pressed; these are also called 'switchblades' or 'automatic knives'
• butterfly knives - where the blade is hidden inside a handle that splits in two around it, like wings; the handles swing around the blade to open or close it
• disguised knives - where the blade is hidden inside something like a belt buckle or fake mobile phone

What's the law?

• The maximum penalty for carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000.
• It's illegal for any shop to sell a knife of any kind (including cutlery and kitchen knives) to anyone under the age of 18 and it is also an offence to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority (for example, a good reason is a chef on the way to work carrying their own knives).
• Knives where the blade folds into the handle, like a Swiss Army Knife, aren't illegal as long as the blade is shorter than three inches (7.62 cms).

Stop and search powers
Police officers may stop you, and have the right to search any person or vehicle, if they suspect you of an offence - including carrying an offensive weapon.

The national It Doesn't Have to Happen (IDHTH), anti-knife campaign aims to reduce the possession and use of knives among young people.

Young people can get involved in the IDHTH campaign by visiting this website.