Knife crime: DOZENS of repeat offenders walk free from court in North East

Despite a toughening up of the law six years ago to tackle rising knife crimes across the UK, more than 60 adults in the region were spared an immediate jail term after being caught carrying knives for a second time.

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The news has angered campaigners.

And Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner, who covers Teesside, said tackling violent crime was a “big priority”.

Ministry of Justice data shows there were 183 cases across County Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire where an offender was convicted or cautioned again for possession of a knife or offensive weapon in the year ending in March.

Of those cases, 105 saw the culprit given an immediate jail sentence, while 34 resulted in a suspended sentence, 24 in a community order, and three in a caution.

It meant in 61 cases, the repeat offender was not sent straight to prison, despite the law outlining that adults already convicted of the crime should face a minimum six-month jail term under the “two strikes and out” system introduced six years ago.

And the outcome was not specified in 17 further cases, which had not reached sentencing or had been dealt with by another means, such as a fine or a discharge.

Cleveland recorded the highest number of cases, with 89 incidents of re-offenders appearing at court. Immediate jail sentences were handed down 52 times, while 17 resulted in a suspended sentence and 10 in a community order.

In 27 cases, more than a quarter, the repeat offender was not sent straight to prison

In total, 588 cases of knife possession – including offenders aged under 18 – led to convictions and cautions in Cleveland, County Durham and North Yorkshire in 2020-21, down from 662 the year before.

Steve Turner said: “The link between violent crime and drug crime in Cleveland is almost one for one. The vast majority of knife crime in Cleveland is drug-related.

“We have a worrying increase of young people carrying knives because they’re frightened.”

Mr Turner praised the work of “phenomenal” local charities and support groups and said an extra emphasis has been placed on “hotspot policing” to provide extra support in high-crime areas.

The newly-elected PCC has thrown his full support behind Cleveland Police’s Operation Eastwood - a police-led partnership initiative to challenge and discourage the carrying of knives by young people in Cleveland.

He said: “In the TS1 area of Middlesbrough there is a disproportionate amount of drug and violent crime than other areas, and we’re hoping to do more proactive work in those areas because they will are designated hotspots.

“We will look to go and target the known criminals and organised crime gangs where the violence stems from.”

The Cleveland Divert programme also aims to steer first time and low level offenders away from the criminal justice system and towards support.

“We are showing young people there is a better way,” Mr Turner added. “They need to understand the consequences of these lifestyles can be catastrophic. We’re telling people that there are other ways out of this and giving them the confidence not to go down those routes.”

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the rate of immediate prison sentences had been impacted by the pandemic, with a higher number of cases not reaching sentencing on time compared to previous years.

It also said there had been an increase in suspended sentences, possibly down to cases of coronavirus in the prison system.

Although the MoJ warns any repeat knife offender should expect an immediate prison sentence, there is currently no minimum sentence for someone caught carrying a knife or offensive weapon for the first time.

The Judiciary Office said any sentence given by a judge or magistrates was considered “carefully” using law and sentencing guidelines. A spokesperson added: “They also take into account any aggravating or mitigating factors which could increase or reduce the sentence.”