Inspection of the CPS’s approach to handling knife crime

Today we publish our knife crime inspection looking at the CPS’s handling of knife crime offences. We found that the CPS handles the majority of cases well, most are simple possession offences. The CPS also considers diversion in youth cases where appropriate.

We found aspects that can be improved, including better identification of the type of blade/knife and ensuring that where there are aggravating features that could affect offence selection at the charging stage, these are properly considered. The key aspect that requires improvement is better identification of cases at review where a mandatory minimum sentence applies, either by virtue of the offence itself e.g. threats involving a bladed article or offensive weapon under section 312 of the Sentencing Act 2020, or as second qualifying offence following a previous relevant conviction under section 315 of the same Act.