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Knife hospital admissions down 8% Knife hospital admissions down 8%
(about 1 hour later)
The number of people being admitted to hospitals in England as a result of knife injuries has fallen by 8%, National Health Service figures show.The number of people being admitted to hospitals in England as a result of knife injuries has fallen by 8%, National Health Service figures show.
There has also been a 14% fall in the number of teenagers admitted to hospital with knife-related wounds.There has also been a 14% fall in the number of teenagers admitted to hospital with knife-related wounds.
Figures from the Ministry of Justice suggest that more people are being sent to prison for possession of knives.Figures from the Ministry of Justice suggest that more people are being sent to prison for possession of knives.
Of these possession offences, 21% resulted in immediate custody, compared to 17% during the same period of 2007. Compared to the last quarter of 2007, custodial sentences have gone up by 23% in the same period in 2008.
The NHS figures are based on admissions due to assault by sharp objects, which included knives. The NHS figures, based on admissions due to assault by sharp objects, including knives, show the drop in knife crime was much less than the government had originally suggested at the end of the last year.
There has been a fall of 10% in the ten areas specifically targeted by the government, under the Tackling Knives Action Programme set up in October 2008, and 5% elsewhere. Statistics row
In December, when the government partially released these figures, it was accused of "cherry-picking" and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had to apologise.
The information released had suggested that admissions for knife wounds had fallen by 27% in ten areas between July and September 2008, even though statisticians had warned that they were "potentially inaccurate".
These figures underline our determination to tackle the scourge of knife crime Justice Secretary Jack Straw Mapping UK's teen murder toll
There has been a fall of 10% in the ten areas specifically targeted by the government, under the Tackling Knives Action Programme set up in October 2008, and 5% elsewhere, according to the NHS's latest research.
The number of possession charges for knives or offensive weapons was broadly the same, whether in the government-targeted areas or not.The number of possession charges for knives or offensive weapons was broadly the same, whether in the government-targeted areas or not.
The Ministry of Justice figures show that, on average, there was a 40% increase in the number of prisoners serving a sentence for possession of an offensive weapon.
Of these offences, 21% resulted in immediate custody, compared to 17% during the same period in 2007.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the latest statistics showed progress.
"These figures underline our determination to tackle the scourge of knife crime. And they show that the tough approach is working.
"As the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, has recently spelt out, if you are caught carrying a knife the consequences are serious: with jail sentences for many more offenders."