Knife crime offences 'highest since 2011' in UK: Government

The number of people caught carrying knives in the UK has spiked to its highest level in six years, with a sharp rise seen amongst juvenile offenders, according to official figures.
The courts dealt with more than 19,000 knife possession cases last year - the highest number since 2011.
The Ministry of Justice said the rise has been driven most recently "by increases amongst juvenile offenders".
A record 41 per cent of adult offenders were jailed, while 11 per cent of 10-17 year olds were sent to prison, the BBC reported today.
The MoJ said almost a third of juvenile offenders received a caution.

The average sentence for knife possession was between seven and eight months, two months longer than the average in 2008.

Some 34 per cent of all sentences passed are for immediate custody, 23 per cent are community sentences and 19 per cent are suspended sentences.
A further 64 per cent of adult repeat offenders received an immediate custodial sentence.
About a quarter of the knife crimes took place in London, where offences have risen to their highest level for nine years.
The report comes after London Trading Standards found that children as young as 13 are able to buy knives in London shops.

Using teenage volunteers to test if shops were complying with the law, London Trading Standards found that out of 724 test purchases, 96 retailers sold knives and blades to the volunteers.
It is illegal to sell knives to anyone under the age of 18.
As a result, 19 traders have been prosecuted while others received warnings and compliance advice.
London Trading Standards spokesman Steve Playle said: "Whilst it is commendable that 87 per cent of shops refused to sell, it is concerning that children as young as 13 were actually sold knives.