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First knife crime rise in four years First knife crime rise in four years
(35 minutes later)
Knife crime across England and Wales has risen for the first time in four years, official figures have revealed.Knife crime across England and Wales has risen for the first time in four years, official figures have revealed.
Police recorded 13,488 knife assaults in the year ending March 2015, up 13% from 11,911 the previous year. Police recorded 26,370 offences in 2014/15, up from 25,974 the previous year - breaking a downward trend since 2010/11.
The Office for National Statistics said the increase was "real" and was unlikely to be due to changes in police recording practices.The Office for National Statistics said the increase was "real" and was unlikely to be due to changes in police recording practices.
The separate Crime Survey for England and Wales said that crime fell overall by 7% - continuing a downward trend. The separate Crime Survey for England and Wales said that crime fell by 7%.
It suggested that crime had fallen to its lowest level since 1981, estimating that there were 6.8 million crimes in 2014/15.It suggested that crime had fallen to its lowest level since 1981, estimating that there were 6.8 million crimes in 2014/15.
The survey is a rolling project that interviews people about their experiences of crime, whether or not they have gone to the police.The survey is a rolling project that interviews people about their experiences of crime, whether or not they have gone to the police.
In contrast, the ONS data suggested that police recorded crime increased by 3%, with 3.8 million offences recorded in the year ending March 2015.In contrast, the ONS data suggested that police recorded crime increased by 3%, with 3.8 million offences recorded in the year ending March 2015.
The ONS said this was driven by a 23% rise in violence against the person offences - but it said this increase was thought to reflect changes in recording practices.The ONS said this was driven by a 23% rise in violence against the person offences - but it said this increase was thought to reflect changes in recording practices.
Law change It comes ahead of tougher penalties, due to come into force tomorrow, that will mean adults convicted more than once of being in possession of a blade face a minimum six month prison sentence and a maximum of four years.
This comes ahead of tougher penalties, due to come into force tomorrow, that will mean adults convicted more than once of being in possession of a blade face a minimum six month prison sentence and a maximum of four years.
Young offenders, aged 16 and 17, will face a minimum four month detention and training order.Young offenders, aged 16 and 17, will face a minimum four month detention and training order.
The ONS data showed that possession of knife offences rose by 10%, sexual assaults with knives went up 28%, and the overall knife crime rise was 2%. The ONS data showed that possession of knife offences rose by 10%, sexual assaults with knives went up 28%, and knife assaults increased by 13% from 11,911 to 13,488 offences.
There was a decrease in robberies involving knives, down 14% from 11,927 to 10,270.There was a decrease in robberies involving knives, down 14% from 11,927 to 10,270.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondentBy Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent
These figures won't be a surprise to many senior police officers. The signs of a statistical U-turn began appearing last year - and last month's figures showed a definite rise in injuries in London.These figures won't be a surprise to many senior police officers. The signs of a statistical U-turn began appearing last year - and last month's figures showed a definite rise in injuries in London.
So what's going on? Knife crime has been falling in England and Wales since a huge and concerted police effort in 10 areas after record figures in 2008.So what's going on? Knife crime has been falling in England and Wales since a huge and concerted police effort in 10 areas after record figures in 2008.
That long-term operation included a lot of intelligence-led stop and search operations with officers asking communities to identify the gangs and riskier street corners.That long-term operation included a lot of intelligence-led stop and search operations with officers asking communities to identify the gangs and riskier street corners.
But stop and search has been falling after the home secretary told forces to rethink how they're using it.But stop and search has been falling after the home secretary told forces to rethink how they're using it.
She said nobody wins when it's used poorly - particularly if used unfairly against young black men.She said nobody wins when it's used poorly - particularly if used unfairly against young black men.
So if the rise in knife offences is linked to that fall in using stop and search, can the police find a way to use it intelligently to keep weapons off the streets?So if the rise in knife offences is linked to that fall in using stop and search, can the police find a way to use it intelligently to keep weapons off the streets?