Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what sentencing guidelines have been put in place to deal with people who repeatedly offend in relation to (a) possession of and (b) threatening with a bladed article or offensive weapon.

Sentencing Guidelines are produced by the independent Sentencing Council.

The Council has developed a draft guideline on sentences for knife possession and threat offences, including repeat offences, which they consulted on between 6 October 2016 and 6 January 2017. The draft guideline is available from the Sentencing Council’s website: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Following consultation the Council will develop a definitive guideline to be published later this year.

After the introduction of our two strikes legislation, people caught carrying a knife a second time are now more likely than ever before to go to prison.