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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.
FACT:
You are more likely to be hurt if you carry a knife.
You may feel like you need to carry a knife because of the places you go or people you hang out with or for protection.
Self-protection is not a reasonable excuse for carrying an offensive weapon; you can still receive a criminal record.
If you carry a knife, you are more likely to be stabbed because you may be considered to be a threat. There is the possibility that if you attempt to use your own knife, you could be overpowered and injured by your own weapon.
FACT:
If you are with someone who injures or kills someone, you can still be convicted…
If someone is injured or killed by a knife whilst you're there - even if you didn't use the knife yourself - you could be convicted of joint enterprise. The joint enterprise law means you could be sentenced for encouraging or assisting the crime.
FACT:
Even a small blade can lead to death within minutes.
There is no ‘safe place’ to stab someone. A wound to the arm or leg can still be life threatening. A small blade can be enough to cut an artery leading to death within minutes.
