Drop The Shank!

Drop The Shank!

The Law

The law of knife crime is very complex and hard to understand, but here are the basics;

-It is illegal for ANY shop to sell a knife to ANYONE below the age of 16.
-Knives where the blades fold into the handle, like a Swiss Army Knife, aren’t illegal, as long as the blades are no longer than 3 inches (7.62cm).
-If a knife is used in a threatening way, it MAY become an offensive weapon.
-But, in the same way, things like a screwdriver may become an offensive weapon if used in the wrong way.
-Kitchen knives and cutlery are included, so children aren’t allowed to buy them.
-It is also illegal to carry ANY type of knife in school.

However some types of knives are illegal to everyone, regardless of age. These are:
Flick knives - Knives where the blade is hidden inside the handle and shoots out when a button is pressed.
Butterfly knives – Knives where the blade is hidden inside a handle that splits into two around it, like wings. The handles swing around the blade to open or close it.
Disguised knives – Knives where the blade is hidden inside something like a belt buckle or a fake mobile.


Under 16’s and knives


Research shows that a third of all under 16’s carry a knife regularly, and children as young as ten are carrying knives. Half of knife crimes are committed by people under 21.
There have been a number of recent incidents in which young people have been attacked with, and have used knives.
In May of 2006, 15 year old schoolboy, Kiyan Prince was stabbed and killed out side his school in London. A few days later, another young boy, aged 14, was hurt in a stabbing incident in Birmingham, however he survived.
In 2003, 14 year old Luke Walmsey was fatally stabbed at his secondary school, 16 year old Alan Pennell was convicted of Luke’s murder. He was given a life sentence.



Why?


Chris was 12 when he started carrying a knife. Here’s his story.

“I started carrying it when I got bullied at school. I thought it would help. I used to have my money taken off me and I used to get beaten up every day.

When I was carrying a knife, I felt safer; I thought it would look after me. I don’t think I would have used it, but I don’t think I wouldn’t have used it either.

You just feel like no-one likes you and they’re all against you.

The knife helped reverse that for a little while, sometimes you feel all big and tough but you do go back down and feel that no-one likes you sill.

Carrying a knife-I do regret it, that’s why I’ve turned my life around.

I just thought to myself, I don’t need tot carry a knife, I am safe without a knife.

If you need help, ask someone, talk about it, it’s the best thing to do. It’s what I did and it helped me.”





By Brodie Baker