Knives & the law.
Know the facts.
Carrying a knife or weapon doesn’t make you safer. It puts your life, your freedom and your future at risk. This guide explains the law in England, what happens if you’re caught, where you can safely get rid of a weapon, and where to get help in London, Essex and Kent.
“It’s for protection” is not a legal reason to carry a knife.
Behind every number is a life.
Knife crime is falling, but it still devastates families and communities every week.
What the law says
These laws apply across England, including London, Essex and Kent. Age doesn’t protect you: children aged 10 and over can be arrested and charged.
Carrying a knife in public
It is illegal to carry any knife or bladed or sharp object in a public place without a good reason or lawful authority. The only exception is a folding pocketknife with a blade under 3 inches (7.62cm).
Carrying an offensive weapon
Anything made, adapted or intended to cause injury can be an offensive weapon, including everyday items such as a bat, a screwdriver or a bottle if you carry it to hurt someone.
Knives at school or college
Taking a knife or offensive weapon onto school or college premises is a separate offence, even a small pocketknife.
Threatening someone
Threatening someone with a knife or weapon, in public, at school or in a private place, is a serious offence. If you are 16 or over, the court must usually give you a custodial sentence, even for a first offence.
Banned weapons, even at home
Some weapons are completely banned. It is illegal to buy, sell or own them, even if you keep them at home.
“For protection”
Saying you carried a knife for self-defence or because you felt unsafe is not a legal defence. You will still be committing an offence.
Lock knives are not “pocketknives”
The 3-inch exception only applies to knives that fold freely. Knives with a locking blade, even short ones, count as fixed blades and are illegal to carry in public without a good reason, such as needing one for work.
If you’re with someone who carries
If you are with someone who uses a knife, you can also be charged if police believe you helped or encouraged them, even if you never touched the weapon.
Caught twice? Minimum sentences.
If you are 16 or over and caught carrying a knife or weapon a second time, the court must give you a minimum sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances. The same applies to a first offence of threatening someone with a knife.
At least 4 months
Detention and training order, in a young offender institution or secure centre.
At least 6 months
Detention in a young offender institution.
At least 6 months
Prison.
In the year to March 2026, almost 1 in 3 knife and weapon offences dealt with by the courts led to immediate custody. For those who went to prison, the average sentence for an adult was just over 8 months.
Tougher new laws
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 became law in April 2026 and is bringing in tougher knife laws, including:
A new offence of carrying a knife or weapon with intent to use violence, or to make someone fear violence, with a maximum sentence of 7 years.
Tougher sentences for banned weapons. Selling banned weapons, owning them in private, and selling knives to under-18s can now lead to up to 2 years in prison.
New police powers to seize knives, including from private homes, if they believe they are likely to be used for violence.
Stricter online sales, with photo ID checks when knives are bought and again when they are delivered.
It doesn’t end with the sentence.
A conviction for carrying a knife can follow you for years.
Your future
A criminal record can make it harder to get into college or university, get a job, or train for careers such as teaching, healthcare, the police or the armed forces.
Your freedom
It can stop you travelling to some countries, including the USA, and affect where you can live.
Your safety
Carrying a knife can make a situation more likely to turn violent, and the knife can be used against you.
Myths vs facts
“I need it to protect myself.”
Fact: Self-protection is not a legal reason to carry a knife, and carrying one can put you at greater risk of being seriously hurt.
“Everyone carries.”
Fact: Most young people never carry a knife. Thinking everyone does is one of the things that pushes people to carry.
“I’d never actually use it.”
Fact: Situations escalate fast. Carrying a knife at all is an offence, and once it’s out, you can’t control what happens next.
“I’m under 18, so nothing will happen.”
Fact: Children aged 10 and over can be arrested and charged, and 16 and 17-year-olds face minimum sentences.
Drop it. No questions asked.
Knife surrender bins let you get rid of knives and weapons anonymously. No one will ask your name. Wrap the item safely and put it in a sealed bag or box before you set off, and go straight there. More than 15,000 knives and weapons have been handed in at bins and surrender points across the country since July 2025.
London
- Central Park Sports Centre car park, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9LB
- Barking Rugby Football Club, Gale Street, Dagenham RM9 4TX
- The Salvation Army, 1 Paul Street, Stratford E15 4QB
- Bonny Downs Community Centre, East Ham E6 6DQ
- Oaklands Car Park, Albion Road, Bexleyheath DA6 7EL
33 bins in 24 boroughs
There are bins across London, including Croydon, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.
See the full list →Essex
- Basildon (Great Oaks)
- Braintree (Blyth’s Meadow)
- Canvey Island (Long Road)
- Chelmsford (New Street)
- Clacton (Beatrice Road)
- Colchester (Southway)
- Grays (Brook Road)
- Harlow (The High)
- Loughton (High Road)
- Rayleigh (High Street)
- Southend (Victoria Avenue)
- Brentwood Town Hall, Ingrave Road
- Great Dunmow, White Street
- Harwich, Dovercourt and Harwich Hub, High Street
- Maldon, Promenade Park coach and car park
Kent
- Park Mall
- Dover Place car park, near International House
- Canterbury Road Recreation Ground, Canterbury Road entrance
- Near Payers Park car park, off Dover Road
- Bins in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
For other areas of Kent and Medway, ask your local council or call Kent Police on 101.
You can also hand a knife in at a police station front counter. Ring 101 first to check opening times. If you find a weapon and don’t feel safe moving it, call 101, or 999 if there is an immediate danger.
Act fast. It can save a life.
999 Call an ambulanceThe call handler will stay on the line and tell you what to do. Getting help quickly is what matters most.
While you wait
- Make sure you are safe. Don’t put yourself in danger.
- Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth, clothing or your hand, and keep pressing.
- If something is still in the wound, don’t pull it out. Press around it.
- Keep them still, warm and talking, and stay with them until help arrives.
Don’t remove the knife or give them anything to eat or drink.
Worried about someone?
If you’re a young person: if you know someone is carrying, or you feel you need to carry to stay safe, talk to someone you trust. You can tell us, a teacher or a family member, or report it anonymously through Fearless. You won’t be asked your name.
If you’re a parent or carer: stay calm and keep talking. Ask open questions about how safe they feel, who they spend time with, and whether anything has changed. Fear is often the reason young people carry. Help them find another way to feel safe.
If you find a knife at home: try not to react with anger. Ask why they have it, explain the law and the risks, and help them get rid of it safely at a knife bin.
Get support
Free and confidential support for young people and families in London, Essex and Kent.
Anywhere, any time
Fearless (Crimestoppers)
Tell Fearless what you know about knife crime without giving your name. Your details are never traced.
0800 555 111Visit website →For young peopleChildline
Free, confidential support for under-19s, about anything that’s worrying you, by phone or online.
0800 1111Visit website →For worried adultsNSPCC Helpline
Advice for parents and carers worried about a child’s safety.
0808 800 5000Visit website →If you’ve been affectedVictim Support
Free, confidential support for anyone affected by crime, including witnesses and families.
08 08 16 89 111Visit website →EducationBen Kinsella Trust
Knife crime education, resources for young people, parents and schools, and the latest statistics.
Visit website →London
Essex
Sources
- House of Commons Library: Knives, offensive weapons and serious violence
- GOV.UK: Crime and Policing Act 2026 knife crime factsheet
- GOV.UK: Knife and offensive weapon sentencing statistics, January to March 2026
- PA Media: Knife homicides fall to lowest level for 35 years (ONS figures)
- Metropolitan Police: Knife-enabled crime data bulletin, June 2026
- Ben Kinsella Trust: Knife crime statistics
- GOV.UK: Knife and weapons surrender arrangements 2026
- GOV.UK: Knife crime homicides fall
- Essex Police: Knife bins
- Ashford Borough Council: Knife bins installed
- Thanet District Council: Reducing knife crime
This guide gives general information about the law in England and is not legal advice. Statistics and locations were checked in October 2026 and may change. If you need advice about your own situation, speak to a solicitor.
