Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Introduce mandatory minimum sentences for possession of a knife

Closed 6,363 signatures

What the petition asks

I want to see mandatory 12-month prison sentences for first time offenders, increasing for repeat offenders, alongside a mandatory 6-month knife awareness course for rehabilitation in the community.
My son Harley Barfield, a vibrant 16-year-old boy, was stabbed 12 times in a planned attack in Haverhill, Suffolk on 9th January 2023. He lost his fight for life on 11th January 2023.

He was attacked in broad daylight, in front of many children that just finished school. The weapon? An everyday kitchen knife.

We need to change this now! We are calling on the Government to introduce new legislation that will impose mandatory sentences for anyone found carrying knives unlawfully.

Timeline

24 Jan 2024 Petition opened for signatures
29 May 2024 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 6,363
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 24 Jan 2024
Closed 29 May 2024

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.