Offensive Weapons

If you asked the people around you what type of crime they rate as the most serious, you would get many different replies. However, amongst those replies, it is very likely that violent crime would top the list.

 

Knife Crime

Knives are a part of our everyday lives – but in the wrong hands, used for the wrong things, they can be very dangerous.

To make sure that knives are used sensibly we have laws.

Did you know that...

• It is against the law to be in possession of an offensive weapon (including knives with blades over 7.62cm long) in a public place
• It is against the law to carry a blade / sharp point or offensive weapon in school
• Police have the power to come into school and search people and places if they think knife laws are being broken
• These laws apply at any time – not just during school hours.

 

Gun Crime

In an effort to prevent violent crimes, we have had a ‘gun law’ called the Firearms Act since 1968. Recently the laws dealing with guns were extended under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.

Guns and the Law

You are breaking the law if you carry any of the following items, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, in a public place:

• A loaded shotgun
• An air weapon (loaded or unloaded), to own, buy or be sold
• Any other firearm (loaded or not) together with ammunition for it. If you get caught with any of the guns mentioned you could be arrested and serve up to six months in prison
• An imitation firearm. An imitation firearm could be anything from a BB gun, to a replica gun, to your little brother’s toy gun.
  
  

If you threaten anyone with a gun, or are seen with one, real or not, and the police are called, you will be faced with a specially trained Armed Response Unit.

If you refuse, when asked, to surrender your weapon, the armed officers may have to use force.

The police will try to avoid shooting but if you are seen as a danger to others, waving what appears to be a gun around, or aiming it, they may have no choice. You could be shot.

• Possession of an offensive weapon (including knives) in a public place is an arrestable offence
• Possession of any blade/sharp point or offensive weapon on school premises is an arrestable offence
• Police officers have the power to enter and search the school premises and anyone on the premises if they believe that this offence has been, or is being committed.