Putting the focus on tackling violent crime
Knife and weapon offences reach high levels.
Figures show offenders are now more likely to receive an immediate custodial sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offence.
The criminal justice system dealt with the highest number of knife and offensive weapon offences in nearly a decade last year, official figures have shown.
In 2018, 21,484 knife and offensive weapon offences were recorded, the most dealt with since 2009, when 25,103 offences were registered, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The figures come after the chancellor, Philip Hammond, handed an extra £100m to police forces in England and Wales after a spate of fatal stabbings led to a renewed focus on the response to knife crime and fresh debate over police resources.
The justice minister, Rory Stewart, said: “Knife crime destroys lives and shatters communities, and this government is doing everything in its power to tackle its devastating consequences.
“Sentences for those carrying knives are getting tougher – they are more likely to be sent straight to prison, and for longer – than at any time in the last decade.
PM ready to tackle crime head on.
Boris Johnson wrote in the Mail on Sunday that the investment was "long overdue".
He also argued that too many serious violent or sexual offenders are coming out of prison long before they should, and tougher sentences were needed.
"We need to come down hard on crime," he wrote. "That means coming down hard on criminals. We need to reverse the balance of fear.
"I want the criminals to be afraid - not the public."
Prime minister tackles violent offenders.