Knife Crime in Dorset has reached a ten year high

New statistics from the Ministry of Justice have revealed that knife crime has reached a new record over the past ten years.

There were 235 knife and offensive weapon offences  reported last year, 2019 – the highest recorded in Dorset over the past decade and since 2009.

Knife offences in Dorset have increased year on year for the past five years.

Three types of knife or offensive weapon offences were recorded including; possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place or on school premises; possession of an offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in a public place; or on school premises and offences of aggravated possession of a knife or offensive weapon.

Outside of Dorset, Avon and Somerset had the highest rates in the South-West, with 522 recorded offences.

Wiltshire had the lowest figures with 202 offences on record.