Myth vs fact
Expand the common myths below to find out the facts on knife crime.
FACT
If you carry a knife you can go to prison and get a criminal record.
If you’re caught carrying a knife, you can receive a four-year prison sentence, even if you don’t use it. If you injure, or even worse kill someone, you could go to prison for a long time.
If you are convicted of knife crime, you’ll get a criminal record. This could stop you getting into college or university, getting a job and could place restrictions on you travelling to some countries. If you receive a sentence of over 30-months, this will stay on your record for life.
FACT
If a police officer suspects you are carrying a knife or a weapon, they can stop and search you.
If you have a knife or weapon in your possession, you will be arrested and go to police custody.
FACT:
If your school suspect that you may be carrying a knife, you can be searched legally.
A head teacher or other authorised member of staff of a school in England has the right to search you and your possessions, if they have reasonable grounds to think you may be carrying an offensive weapon.