knife crime research - metropolitan police website

• The Metropolitan Police Service has set up a dedicated taskforce to combat knife crime under Operation Blunt 2. Since its creation in July 2008, 4,509 people have been arrested, and 963 weapons have been removed from London's streets including 47 guns*. The large majority of these weapons were recovered through stop and search. *figs shown correct as of 06.07.2010
• In 2009, a total of 438 firearms capable of lethal discharge came into the hands of the Metropolitan Police Service from the streets of London. These were found by members of the public, surrendered at police stations or recovered by police operations

What's the law?

It's illegal for a shop to sell any kind of knife to someone under 18. This includes kitchen knives and even cutlery.

It's also illegal for shops to sell imitation guns or air weapons to anyone under 18-years-old, or to sell realistic imitation guns to anyone.

You'll be committing an offence if you buy any of these items. Possessing a knife or firearm (whether it's yours or not) is illegal and can result in a prison sentence.

Some knives are illegal for even adults to buy. The below are all categorised as offensive weapons and are completely banned:

• Flick knives - also called ‘switchblades’ or ‘automatic knives’.
• Butterfly knives
• Disguised knives - in which the blade is hidden in something like a belt buckle or fake mobile phone.

You can find out more about these and other types of illegal knives on the DirectGov website