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Knife and offensive weapon possession law: Public-place offences and sentencing

Having an article with a blade or point in a public place without a lawful reason or authority can be an offence. The ordinary adult maximum for the possession offences covered by the guideline is four years’ custody.

Nearest published map category Possession of weapons

Context only - Not a count of this specific offence.

Maximum sentence
4 years’ custody
Guideline context
Fine to 2 years 6 months’ custody for adult possession cases under the current guideline.
Source checked
2026-10-16

What this offence means

Legal definition

The law distinguishes possession, threatening with a weapon and using a weapon to commit another offence. Each can lead to different charges and sentences.

What this page cannot decide

It cannot decide whether an offence occurred, whether a person is guilty or what sentence a court will impose. Those questions depend on admissible evidence, the exact charge and the law in force at the relevant time.

What prosecutors must establish

The elements below explain the principal parts of this offence. The official provision and current case law determine the precise legal test.

A bladed or sharply pointed article

Section 139 applies to an article with a blade or sharp point, subject to the statutory wording and exceptions.

In a public place

The prosecution must establish possession in a place that falls within the provision's public-place test.

No good reason or lawful authority

The Act contains defences and specific exceptions. Their availability depends on the article, purpose and facts.

Published possession of weapons records

CrimeRate calculates this chart from official street-level crime records. It shows the nearest broad reporting category - Not the number of charges, defendants or convictions for having a knife or offensive weapon in public.

March 2024
Latest published month4,531Possession of weapons records in March 2024
Share of that month’s archive0.9%A share of all published street-level records, not an offending rate
Total across the chart4,5311 published month represented
Change from prior monthNot availableA comparable prior month is unavailable

Do not turn this chart into a count of having a knife or offensive weapon in public. The possession of weapons category is broader than knife possession. It can include other weapons and does not show the article, defence, charge or result.

Explore this category on the map →

Sentence and court context

Two different reference points frame sentencing. Neither predicts the result in an individual case.

Statutory maximum 4 years’ custody

The legal ceiling available for this offence - Not the usual sentence.

Reviewed adult guideline Fine to 2 years 6 months’ custody for adult possession cases under the current guideline.

The applicable category and starting point depend on the facts proved.

What the court then considers

Offence provedThe admitted or proved facts set the starting point.
Harm and culpabilityThe guideline category is identified from both.
Case factorsAggravating and mitigating circumstances alter the assessment.
AdjustmentsPrevious convictions, assistance and any guilty plea are considered.
Final legal checksMinimum terms, dangerousness and ancillary orders may apply.

Distinctions that change the answer

Possession and threatening are different

Threatening with a weapon and using one in another offence may produce separate, more serious charges.

Not every knife is treated identically

The legislation contains exceptions and separate restrictions for particular weapons. The precise article matters.

Important sentencing and reporting notes

  • Statutory minimum provisions can apply to repeat or specified offences, subject to the legislation and exceptions.
  • Using a knife in another offence can result in a different and much more serious charge.

What the map can and cannot show

The map provides geographic context for the nearest broad reporting category. It does not reproduce a case file or court record.

Closest map groupingPossession of weapons
What it can showAn anonymised recorded-crime point, date and broad category
What it cannot showThe charge, evidence, parties, exact address or guilt

Questions people commonly ask

Is carrying any knife in public automatically an offence?

No. The exact article, statutory exceptions, lawful authority and any good reason must be considered.

Does the public map show knife crime separately?

No. The source publishes a broader possession of weapons category.

Primary and sentencing sources

Use the official text to confirm the provision, territorial extent, amendments and commencement for the date in question.

Criminal Justice Act 1988Section 139 Sentencing Council guidelineCurrent official sentencing guidance Open the complete Criminal Justice Act 1988Official text on legislation.gov.uk

Compare related offence guides

These offences are commonly confused with, contrasted against or legally connected to the offence above. Each has its own definition, intent requirement and sentencing framework.

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Aggravated burglary

A weapon can be the aggravating feature

Aggravated burglary is burglary where the offender has a firearm, imitation firearm, weapon of offence or explosive at the relevant time. It carries a maximum of life imprisonment.

Compare this offence →

Robbery

Possession differs from using force to steal

Robbery combines theft with force or the threat of force used immediately before or at the time of stealing. It carries a maximum of life imprisonment.

Compare this offence →