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What counts as knife crime

information

Knife crime is crime involving a knife. It is a crime to threaten someone with a knife or carry a knife as a weapon in a robbery or burglary. Police can search you if they think you are carrying a knife. Some knives are offensive weapons and are banned in public places.

Knife crime includes:

  • carrying a knife or trying to buy one if you are under 18
  • threatening someone with a knife
  • carrying a knife that is banned
  • a murder where the victim was stabbed with a knife
  • a robbery or burglary where a thief carried a knife as a weapon

Somerset and knife crime

Somerset remains a safe place to live and knife crime offences are relatively low, representing less than 5% of recorded serious violent crimes. When incidents do occur they are most likely to involve adults and can occur in the home as well as in the community.

Somerset Council are part of the Safer Somerset Partnership. Even though knife crime rates are low in Somerset, the impact of these crimes can devastate communities and invoke fear, so the partnership continue to prioritise the prevention of knife crime as part of their commitment to reducing serious violence.

You can find more information about the partnership here Safer Somerset Partnership.

Surrendering weapons

For more information about surrendering weapons please visit the Avon and Somerset Police website

If you or someone you know needs advice or help

If there is an immediate danger always dial 999, but if it is not an emergency you can contact and you would like advice about concerns you can visit

Report Knife Crime

If you have information about knife crime in your area and you are nervous about going to the police, you can phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They will never ask for your name or try to trace the number that you are calling from, or visit

  • Fearless.org is a service that allows you to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously.
  • Crimestoppers is an independent charity that enables you to report crime anonymously.
  • Call 999 immediately if there is an ongoing incident involving a weapon.

Last updated: June 5, 2024

Next review due: December 5, 2024

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