Knives in Public and UK Law

  • Published
  • By 48th Fighter Wing
  • Legal Office
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The United Kingdom made it a criminal offense to carry a knife in public and for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase a knife (The Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Offensive Weapons Act 1996).

What is Illegal:
· Possession: With limited exceptions, it is illegal to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place. 

- Examples: flick knives, switchblades, gravity knives, butterfly knives, etc. 

- Exceptions: You may carry a knife in public if there is legal authority or good reason. 

* Exceptions include a knife that is: required for one's job; part of a national costume; needed for religious reasons (e.g. a Sikh Kirpan); or is a folding knife with a blade shorter than three inches (7.62 cm). Common sense prevails! Hunting/fishing knives are ordinarily illegal in public, but anglers/fishermen may possess them as long as held safely with other fishing equipment and are enroute to or from the activity. 

- Note: Just because you legally purchased a knife does not mean that it is legal to carry it in public 

· Sales to Minors: It is illegal for anyone to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18. 

· Offensive Weapon: It illegal to carry something that could be viewed as an offensive weapon and then to use it in a threatening way.

What is Legal:
Knives with non-locking blades that can fold into the handle (e.g. Swiss Army Knife) are not illegal to carry in public as long as the blade is shorter than three inches.
However, if one of these knives is used in a threatening way; it will be regarded as an "offensive weapon."

Beware!:
· Those knives under "Exceptions" may only be carried to and from the location where they are needed. 

- Work Knife: You are only allowed to carry a work knife directly to and from work! Do not stop on the way to go to a pub, restaurant, shop, etc. with your knife. 

- Going out for the evening? Leave your knife at home. If you are involved in a disturbance and are found with a knife, you may face a harsher penalty for simply having the knife in your pocket, etc. even though you never used it. 

- Do not leave your knife in the car for use when you go to work, bring it in the work center of leave it at home. 

· Schools: DODDs has a zero tolerance policy on the possession of weapons, including knives. They are not to be carried, presented, or used in the presence of other persons in a manner likely to make reasonable persons fear for their safety. (DoDEA 205 1.1). Students violating school knife policies and or UK law may face administrative action including expulsion as well as criminal prosecution.

UK Penalties:
· The maximum penalty for illegally carrying a knife is 4 years in prison and a fine of £5,000. 

· The maximum penalty for using an offensive weapon is 4 years in prison and/or a fine.

The UK has taken a firm stance. Carrying knives in public is not be tolerated and offenders are prosecuted! So before you decide to take that knife along in your pocket or in the car while you run errands, stop and consider the legality of carrying your knife in public. If you don't need it, play it safe and leave the knife at home.