Courts Going Soft on Teen Knife Criminals as Jail Sentences Decrease by Half

Increase in Expulsions and Suspensions for Students Brandishing Weapons in Class

The number of teenagers being jailed for a first offence involving a knife has dropped by almost half across the country, indicating a softer stance by the courts. Ministry of Justice figures reveal that the proportion of ten to 17-year-old knife offenders being given custody decreased from ten per cent in March 2020 to just six per cent in the year leading up to March 2021.

In the same period, there has been a significant rise in community sentences for 16 and 17-year-old knife offenders, suggesting a shift towards alternative forms of punishment. This comes as 541 children were expelled from school for brandishing weapons in class in the year leading up to July 2021, with an additional 7,763 students being suspended.

Tory MP Calls for Serious Punishments for Youth Involved in Knife Crime

Responding to the statistics, Tory MP Tim Loughton emphasized the importance of imposing serious punishments on young people who choose to engage in knife crime with potentially fatal weapons. Loughton urged that the recent decrease in jail sentences sends the wrong message to offenders, highlighting the need for a firm stance.

Criminal Justice System Failure and the Call for Stronger Action

Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP called the statistics "incredibly damning" and argued that they reveal the extent of the current government's failure to address dangerous knife crime. Mahmood criticized the weakening approach to youth violence, stating that the criminal justice system is in disarray. In contrast, the Labour party's proposed solutions include increasing local policing, strengthening enforcement, and introducing new youth mentors in an effort to halve knife crime.