Fewer jailed for knife possession

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Fewer criminals caught carrying a knife are being jailed than a year ago, Ministry of Justice figures have shown.

The numbers given a custodial sentence between July and September were down from 1,660 last year to 1,215 this year, a reduction of almost a fifth.

The figures show more knife offenders are being given community service punishments and suspended sentences.

The total number of people caught with knives in England and Wales is down 11% since June 2008.

'Slap on the wrist'

But the total number jailed for knife possession is still higher than it was before the government launched its Tackling Knives Action Plan last June.

A third of those jailed now face more than six months in prison compared with 22% a year ago.

Sentencing guidelines for knife carriers were changed last August, with the new "starting point" put at 12 weeks in jail.

Labour and the Tories are caught in pointless posturing on prison sentences for knife carriers. Chris Huhne,Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman

Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge said at the time those caught in possession should be given the "most severe" sentences.

Between July and September nearly one in three offenders received a community service punishment, the latest government figures showed.

A total of 822, or 13% of the total, received a suspended sentence while one in four - more than 1,500 - was cautioned.

Justice Minister Claire Ward said: "These figures show again that the system is tough on those who carry knives and blight our communities.

'Pointless posturing'

"The message is clear: if you carry a knife, be prepared to go to jail."

But shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said: "These figures show once again that despite government claims, under Labour those caught with a knife are more likely to get a slap on the wrist than a jail term.

"Under a Conservative government people caught carrying a knife should expect to go to prison."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "Labour and the Tories are caught in pointless posturing on prison sentences for knife carriers.

"Firm but fair penalties at a reasonable level are much better than bravado on sentencing that the courts never apply.

He said knife crime was best tackled by catching more carriers, which meant putting more police on the streets in knife crime hot spots.