Knife crime involving children

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 24/1548

Version Date: 27/02/2024

The Performance Analysis Department have provided the following information:

I would like to know what data Dorset Police holds on children that have been caught with a knife and/or been attacked with a knife.

I am looking for data pertaining to 6 to 13 year olds which is broken it down by age (ie individual stats for 6 year olds, 7 years olds, etc) on the following:

1. The number of children within that age bracket who have been found with a knife by the police.

The table below shows a count of  offences of ‘possession of weapons’ with a knife crime flag, where the suspect age is between 6 – 13 years old.

2. The number of children within that age bracket that have been a victim of knife related crimes committed by other adults.

The table below shows crimes with a knife crime flag where the victim is aged 6 – 13 and the suspect is aged 18 +

3. The number of children within that age bracket who have been a victim of knife related crimes by other children

The table below shows crimes with a knife crime flag where the victim is aged 6 – 13 and the suspect is aged 17 or less.

4. The number of children within the ages of 10 to 13 that have been arrested or charged for carrying a knife.

The table below shows arrests of 10 – 13 year olds for ‘possession of weapons’ offences with a knife crime flag.

The table below shows ‘possession of weapons’ offences with a knife crime flag where the outcome is ‘charged’ and the suspect is aged 10 – 13.

The date needed is from Jan 2019 to December 2023 (or the most recent available data - please make clear when this data runs up to) and would like the data broken down by year and age group.