Rate of repeat knife crime offenders in Cumbria rises

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show the Criminal Justice System dealt with 141 knife and offensive weapon offenders in Cumbria in the year to March.

Of these, 36 had a previous conviction or caution, meaning 25.5 per cent were committed by repeat offenders.

This was up from 21.8 per cent the year before.

Across England and Wales, 31.5 per cent of knife and offensive weapon offenders had a previous conviction or caution – the highest rate since records began in 2014.

Subsequently, the rate of first-time offenders is at a record low, falling slightly to 68.5 per cent last year.

Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust, which campaigns against knife crime, said: "The increasing number of repeat offenders with knife crime convictions is alarming."

He called for "crucial" investment in rehabilitation rather than simply locking people up to break the "cycle of reoffending" the figures expose.

Patrick Green, from the Ben Kinsella Trust (Image: Ben Kinsella Trust)

The figures also show the overall number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the justice system in England and Wales fell 3.3 per cent in the past year, from 19,200 in 2022-23 to 18,600 last year.

Yet, in Cumbria, it increased from a total of 126 offences to 158.

Mr Green said the fall in offences dealt with by the justice system shows a "concerning anomaly".

He said ONS figures released in July show knife crime offences rising four per cent in the last year, but the recent MoJ figures show a fall in the number of offenders being dealt with by the criminal justice system.

"This does raise questions about whether the full force of the law is being correctly applied in knife crime cases,” he said.

He added the ‘alarming statistic’ of 3,206 knife crime offences committed by 10- to 17-year-olds is ‘deeply troubling’.

The number of these offences committed by under 18-year-olds has increased by 20 per cent since 2014.

“To effectively address knife crime, we must prioritise preventing young people from becoming involved in such violence," he said.

In Cumbria, 17.7 per cent of knife and offensive weapon offenders were 10 to 17 years old.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said knife crime is a ‘scourge on our society’, adding the Government is dedicated to halving knife crime within a decade.

They said ensuring the ‘tightest restrictions’ are in place to limit the sale of weapons must come first, and added: “We will also end the practice of empty warnings, ensuring carrying knives triggers rapid intervention and tough consequences.”

A Cumbria Constabulary spokesman said: “Cumbria is one of the safest places in the country to live, visit and work.

“There is no excuse for anyone to seek to protect themselves by carrying a knife or any other weapon in Cumbria.”

They said the constabulary takes knife crime and carrying ‘extremely seriously’ and officers ‘continue to take positive action where reports are received’.

Preventative measures like Operation Sceptre knife surrenders has seen hundreds of blades taken off the streets, they said.

“We also work with businesses on the sales of potential weapons," said the spokesman.

“Education of young people has a part to play in this – and we regularly visit schools to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of being in possession of a knife.

“We will continue to work with our partners in the criminal justice system, the education sector, businesses and wherever appropriate to address this issue.”