Knife crime
Major investigation and public protection — Authorised Professional Practice
Summary
This document provides guidance on addressing knife crime, detailing current advice for police officers. It features links to key guidance on cautioning and charging procedures, as well as statutory guidance from the Home Office related to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. Additionally, it outlines resources from the Crown Prosecution Service that serve as a comprehensive reference for officers and prosecutors involved in knife crime cases. The guidance aims to facilitate effective investigations and decision-making processes, reduce the need for repeated consultations, and lessen delays in criminal justice proceedings. A knife crime problem-solving guide has also been developed jointly by the College of Policing and NPCC to assist officers in tackling this issue effectively.
Key principles
- 1Follow statutory guidance related to knife crime.
- 2Utilize comprehensive resources from CPS for knife and weapons offences.
- 3Reduce delays in criminal justice through effective decision-making processes.
- 4Engage in problem-solving approaches in collaboration with NPCC.
Defined terms
- Offensive Weapons Act 2019
- Legislation pertaining to the regulation of weapons deemed offensive.
- Knife crime
- Crimes that involve the use of a knife, including carrying, threatening, or using a knife for violence.
Full guidance
Responding to public protection and major investigation issues, for example, child abuse, knife crime and sexual offences
This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
The following documents provide current advice in relation to tackling knife crime.
. . * **Crown Prosecution Service (2025) Knife and other weapons offences**(opens an external website in the same tab) Knife and other weapons offences") . This guidance provides a single source of information using linking and referencing, to support officers and prosecutors dealing with knife crime cases. The guidance: * reduces the need for repeated consultations or adjournments to reduce criminal justice delays * reduces the time spent researching multiple sources for guidance about knife crime * supports effective investigative and decision-making processes
In addition, the College of Policing and NPCC have worked together to develop a knife crime problem solving guide .
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Read the full APP guidanceSource: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.