Limited knife crime sentencing shift for under-18s

By Alex Stevenson

Knife crimes committed by 16- and 17-year-olds will result in a mandatory four-month prison sentence, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

The shift will go some way towards placating right-wingers who have demanded that all those who commit a knife-related offence should be locked up.

But those under 16 who are convicted of using a knife or offensive weapon to threaten or endanger will not be affected by the four-month detention and training order.

The sentencing shake-up also sees the government change guidelines to create a 'two-strike' approach to those convicted of a serious sexual or violent crime.

A second offence will result in a mandatory life sentence, which until now have been reserved for murderers.

Prisoners who committed serious sexual or violent crimes will have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentences before being eligible for parole, rather than half their sentences as is the case at present.

Those who are released will be closely monitored for a longer period - up to eight years for sex offenders and up to five years for violent offenders.

"The new regime will restore clarity, coherence and common sense to sentencing... and give victims a clearer understanding of how long offenders will actually serve in prison," justice secretary Ken Clark said.

On knife crime, he added: "We have already announced that we are bringing in an automatic prison sentence for any adults who use a knife to threaten and endanger.

"Clearly any extension of this sentence to children requires very careful consideration. However, we need to send out a clear message about the seriousness of juvenile knife crime."

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan welcomed the move, saying a "clear message" had to be sent to those under 18 that knife crime "is unacceptable and will be punished".

He was more critical of the other sentencing changes, highlighting the limitations of the parole shift and its ability to protect members of the public from unreformed prisoners.

"Under this government's plans, offenders who are a danger to the public could still be released from prison," Mr Khan warned. "They are taking an unnecessary risk with public safety."

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.