Knife crime on the rise in Lincolnshire as hundreds injured each year

Hundreds of people have been injured in stabbings in Lincolnshire in the past year - with children among those arrested and a number of weapon-related offences reported at schools.

The county’s police force logged 571 reports of people possessing an offensive weapon over a 12-month period, a Freedom of Information request by LincsOnline has revealed.

Sixteen of these reports related to offensive weapons being taken into schools while a further 311 were in public places.

Crimes reported on private property numbered 196. Forty-eight incidents did not have a location stated.

Offensive weapons are items carried with an intent of causing injury and can range from a bottle smashed to make it sharp to household items such as hammers, screwdrivers or kitchen knives.

Some weapons are designed to be lethal, such as ‘Zombie’ knives. From September 24 they and machetes will be added to a list of prohibited items that includes butterfly knives, samurai swords and push daggers.

Anyone found with these weapons following the ban will face prison.

In the year to July, 352 people were arrested in Lincolnshire on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. Of these, 27 were children and 56 were aged 18 to 30.

Just over 200 people were charged and 130 of the offences related to having a knife or blade.

Possession of an offensive weapon, including a knife, can result in a prison sentence of up to four years.

In Lincolnshire in the past year, 378 people were injured by someone wielding a knife. Five more lost their lives after being stabbed.

“Knives and other weapons can destroy lives, both yours and those you love, and this is why we are tackling this issue head on,” said a spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police.

“We will not be complacent and will continue to work alongside our partners to keep our communities safe.”

Last year the force launched a knife crime education centre at Sleaford Police Station, which aims to stop people carrying knives or from becoming involved in serious violence.

Officers do this by removing the myths and ‘glamour’ of violent crime, which is sometimes portrayed on screen and in some social media.

Knife crime in Lincolnshire more than doubled between 2017 and 2023.

This follows a national trend which prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to end.

Last week, he was joined by actor Idris Elba to launch a coalition which aims to stop young people from being drawn into violent gangs.

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