Petition · past parliament · Home Office
Impose minimum sentences for first offence of possession of a knife
Closed
776 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the Government to introduce minimum sentences for possession of a knife from the first offence. These should be 4 months detention and a £1,000 fine for 16-17 year olds, and a 6 month custodial sentence and a £1,000 fine for people aged 18 and over.
In 2013/14 there were just under 27,000 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument. In 2022/23 this had increased to over 45,000. There have been hundreds of thousands of these offences in the last decade.
We need tougher sentences that apply from the first offence. Currently minimum sentences only apply for multiple offences.
We need a deterrent to make people think twice before they decide to pick up the knife!
We need tougher sentences that apply from the first offence. Currently minimum sentences only apply for multiple offences.
We need a deterrent to make people think twice before they decide to pick up the knife!
Timeline
| 21 Apr 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 21 Oct 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
776
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
21 Apr 2023
Closed
21 Oct 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.