Most knife carriers are spared jail (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Most knife carriers are spared jail
7:00am Thursday 21st February 2008 in News By Andy Tate, Parliamentary Correspondent
FOUR out of every five people convicted of carrying a knife in Hampshire are getting off without a jail sentence, new figures have revealed.
According to the Ministry of Justice, 160 people were found guilty of possessing a blade in a public place in 2006 - but only 29 of them were thrown behind bars by magistrates.
This week, the Daily Echo revealed the number of people convicted of carrying a knife in Hampshire had soared by 65 per cent over the past decade.
The new figures show for the first time that most of them are walking away with a fine or community punishment.
Magistrates have the power to impose a six-month sentence for an offence. If the defendant is under 18 and the proceedings are in a youth court a two-year custodial sentence can be handed down. The Crown Prosecution Service said: "Whether or not a custodial sentence is awarded is a matter for the courts. We present the evidence and if someone pleads guilty or is found guilty they are given a sentence felt suitable."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has ordered police in the worst areas to prosecute anyone carrying a blade as part of the latest crackdown on knife crime - but Hampshire was not considered bad enough to be included in the drive.
A Home Office spokesman said the Government took knife crime extremely seriously. Last year the maximum sentence for carrying a knife was increased from two to four years.
He added: "While sentencing is a matter for the courts we expect anyone who might consider carrying a knife to be sent a clear message about the consequences. Sentencing guidelines also state that when a weapon is used to frighten or injure a victim prison sentences should be increased even further. We are actively working with the police to deliver a tough approach to dealing with knife crime.
"This summer there will also be a brand new £1m campaign aimed at warning youngsters of the dangers of carrying a knife. In addition there will be new police resources for hundreds of knife arches and search wands in local communities."
