Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Knife Crime: Victims

Tuesday 11 March 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is taking steps to support victims of knife crime through the criminal justice system.
  • Agrees that cooperation with devolved Administrations is crucial for raising awareness about the impact of knife crime.
  • Welcomes scrutiny of new offence of possessing a knife with violent intent from the Crime and Policing Bill Committee member.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts Local Government
Context

The question follows a series of deeply concerning knife offences involving young people in Glenrothes and Mid Fife, highlighting the community's strong feelings about knife crime and online sales of knives.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help support victims of knife crime through the criminal justice system? Does she agree that this support will continue to be essential, and that it is crucial to work alongside devolved Administrations to raise awareness of the tragic impact of knife crime on communities across the UK?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)

I thank my hon. Friend for that really important question. As a Member of Parliament representing a devolved nation, I wholly agree. It is important that we work across the board to tackle this issue, which is not solely about England; all of us must do better. The Government are taking firm action and putting in place stronger consequences for carrying a knife. They are also cracking down on the sale of dangerous knives, and have announced Ronan’s law, a range of measures that will include stricter rules for online retailers selling knives.

Answered
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Q2 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question seeks clarification on how the new law will differ from current laws and what considerations will be made when determining intent.

Question

How will the new offence of possessing a knife with violent intent differ from existing legislation relating to possession of an article with a blade or point, or possession of an offensive weapon? How far will the law go when it comes to proving intent?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)

I welcome that question. My understanding is that the hon. Member is a member of the Crime and Policing Bill Committee that will be scrutinising the legislation. Is he not? I will welcome engagement with him, though, and his scrutiny as the legislation progresses through the House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on how new offence differs from existing laws and specifics about proving intent were not provided.

How: Welcoming Engagement, Scrutiny Of Legislation

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