Having an offensive weapon or bladed article in public
It is an offence to have an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, or a bladed or sharply pointed article without good reason or lawful authority. Folding pocketknives with a cutting edge of 3 inches or less are exempt from the bladed article offence.
Law checked as at 25 September 2026. Legal information only, not legal advice, and not a prediction of any sentence.
At a glance
| Also known as | Knife crime, Possession of an offensive weapon, Possession of a bladed article, Carrying a knife |
|---|---|
| The law | Prevention of Crime Act 1953, section 1 |
| Where it is tried | either way. Both offences can be tried in the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. |
| Maximum penalty | Both offences: 4 years' imprisonment and/or a fine in the Crown Court; 12 months in the magistrates' court (the general limit for a single either-way offence). If the defendant was aged 16 or over and has a previous relevant weapons conviction, the court must impose at least 6 months' custody for those aged 18 or over, or a 4-month detention and training order for 16 and 17-year-olds, unless there are exceptional circumstances (Sentencing Code s.315). Threatening someone with a weapon in public or at a school carries a similar minimum even for a first offence. |
| Sentencing guideline | Bladed articles and offensive weapons - having in a public place |
Maximum penalties are the most a court can impose for the worst cases. Most sentences are far lower, and the actual sentence depends on the facts, any guilty plea and the court's assessment.
What the prosecution must prove
- The defendant had the item with them, knowing they had it.
- They were in a public place (or, for the separate section 139A offence, on school or further education premises).
- Offensive weapon (s.1): the item was made or adapted for causing injury, such as a knuckleduster or flick knife, or the defendant intended to use it to cause injury.
- Bladed article (s.139): the item had a blade or was sharply pointed, other than a folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches or less.
Defences and common issues
- Offensive weapon: you had lawful authority or a reasonable excuse, which you must prove on the balance of probabilities.
- Bladed article: you had good reason or lawful authority, including the specific defences of use at work, religious reasons or national costume (s.139(4)-(5)).
- The item was a folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches or less; a knife that locks open does not count as folding.
- The place was not a public place, or you did not know you had the item with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I legally carry a pocket knife?
You can carry a folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (7.62cm) or less without needing a reason, because it is excluded from the bladed article offence. Courts have ruled that a knife which locks open is not a folding pocketknife, so it needs a good reason. Even a small legal knife becomes an offensive weapon if you carry it intending to use it to injure someone. Different rules apply on school premises, and some knives are banned from sale or possession altogether.
Is there a mandatory sentence for carrying a knife?
There is a minimum sentence for a repeat offence. Under section 315 of the Sentencing Code, if you are 16 or over and are convicted of having a knife or offensive weapon in public or at school, and you already have a relevant weapons conviction, the court must impose at least 6 months' custody for adults, or a 4-month detention and training order for 16 and 17-year-olds, unless exceptional circumstances justify not doing so. Threatening someone with a knife or weapon attracts the same minimum even on a first conviction.
What counts as a good reason to carry a knife?
Good reasons include carrying a knife for use at work, for religious reasons such as a Sikh kirpan, as part of national costume, or genuinely taking a newly bought knife home. The court decides whether the reason is genuine and good on the facts, and you must prove it on the balance of probabilities. Simply forgetting a knife was in your bag is not usually enough on its own, although it can be relevant alongside other circumstances.
Can I carry a knife or weapon for self-defence?
Generally no. The courts have held that a general fear of being attacked is not a reasonable excuse for routinely carrying an offensive weapon or a good reason for carrying a knife. A very narrow exception may exist where there is an imminent, particular threat, but this rarely succeeds. Carrying a weapon for protection can also lead to more serious charges if it is used. Using reasonable force with an item you happen to have in an emergency is a separate question.
Are knife laws changing in 2026?
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. It creates a new offence of possessing a knife or offensive weapon with intent to use unlawful violence, with a maximum of 7 years, raises penalties for selling prohibited weapons, and tightens rules on online sales and delivery of knives. At the time of writing these weapons provisions are not yet in force. The existing offences and the minimum sentence for repeat possession continue to apply.
Official sources
Primary sources and official guidance on this topic, for anyone who wants to read the underlying rules directly.
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