# Now they want to ban the sale of pointed kitchen knives in the UK to reduce knife crime. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 10, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606 "2019-10-10T20:32:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/1 "2019-10-10T20:32:06Z")
> **[Now they want to ban the sale of pointed kitchen knives in the UK to reduce...](https://www.theblaze.com/news/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime-brutal-mockery-follows)** > > 'Next, banning pointed sticks' Proposed gun control doesn’t look too bad now. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/2 "2019-10-10T20:34:03Z")
What’s next? Raspberries? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/3 "2019-10-10T20:39:29Z")
Isn’t this sort of old news? I seem to recall a similar thread about this in GQ like months or even a year or so ago. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/4 "2019-10-10T20:44:11Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Isn’t this sort of old news? I seem to recall a similar thread about this in GQ like months or even a year or so ago. Most of the articles on it are from the last week or two. Seems a judge came up with the idea several months back, but now the Church of England and politicians are on board so it’s getting some traction lately. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/5 "2019-10-10T20:51:20Z")
We might as well just get hooked up to a Matrix-like machine and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/6 "2019-10-10T20:51:47Z")
Hard to believe that they actually have that much knife crime. Wonder if there are any stats on what the level is? I’d be surprised if we are talking more than a few hundred deaths a year, but maybe there is more knife violence in the UK than I thought. I honestly have never talked about this subject with any of my UK friends. I know that in China it’s a major issue, and one that is very much under (or just not) reported, but the UK? Oh well…ban those pointy knives guys! I’m sure it will reduce crime. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/7 "2019-10-10T21:02:43Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Hard to believe that they actually have that much knife crime. Wonder if there are any stats on what the level is? I’d be surprised if we are talking more than a few hundred deaths a year, but maybe there is more knife violence in the UK than I thought. I honestly have never talked about this subject with any of my UK friends. > > I know that in China it’s a major issue, and one that is very much under (or just not) reported, but the UK? Oh well…ban those pointy knives guys! I’m sure it will reduce crime. 😛 One article says, “Last year, London’s murder rate briefly overtook that of New York City—a feat likely to be repeated as crime continues its decline in the U.S.—and the latest U.K. figures show an increase in violent crimes committed with both guns and knives.” ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/8 "2019-10-10T21:05:23Z")
> [@Doyle](#): > > One article says, “Last year, London’s murder rate briefly overtook that of New York City—a feat likely to be repeated as crime continues its decline in the U.S.—and the latest U.K. figures show an increase in violent crimes committed with both guns and knives.” So, 300 or so? Out of, what? Nearly 9 million? And probably a good percentage of those weren’t with knives? Seems…an over reaction. But it’s their circus and their monkey, if they want to ban pointy knives I say more power too them! ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/9 "2019-10-10T21:06:00Z")
In fairness, though, most kitchen cutting and cooking can be done without a pointy tip. And once you take away the stab-ability of a knife, the ability of an assailant to do harm with it diminishes significantly. Sure, criminals could always sharpen the knives to a point themselves, but that would take work. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/10 "2019-10-10T21:06:15Z")
> [@XT](#): > > So, 300 or so? Out of, what? Nearly 9 million? And probably a good percentage of those weren’t with knives? Seems…and over reaction. But it’s their circus and their monkey, if they want to ban pointy knives I say more power too them! “Every knife sold in the UK should have a gps tracker fitted in the handle,” insisted Scott Mann. “It’s time we had a national database like we do with guns.” ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/11 "2019-10-10T21:15:46Z")
> [@Doyle](#): > > [Now they want to ban the sale of pointed kitchen knives in the UK to reduce knife crime. Brutal mockery follows. | Blaze Media](https://www.theblaze.com/news/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime-brutal-mockery-follows) > > Proposed gun control doesn’t look too bad now. Because Glenn Beck is a reliable source. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/12 "2019-10-10T21:19:33Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Because Glenn Beck is a reliable source. As mentioned above, there are many articles on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/13 "2019-10-10T21:22:21Z")
:dubious: > [@Doyle](#): > > As mentioned above, there are many articles on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/14 "2019-10-10T21:23:59Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Because Glenn Beck is a reliable source. I think you’re biased. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/15 "2019-10-10T21:27:08Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I think you’re biased. Definitely. He’s obviously doing a Tegrity Farms bit, trying to cater to the Mayor of London and the regime!! Just look at the name…it’s all right there! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/16 "2019-10-10T21:27:55Z")
The UK is what happens when you try to baby-proof an entire country. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/17 "2019-10-10T21:27:57Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > :dubious: Please google and tell me I am making this up. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/18 "2019-10-10T21:29:13Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Hard to believe that they actually have that much knife crime. Wonder if there are any stats on what the level is? I’d be surprised if we are talking more than a few hundred deaths a year, but maybe there is more knife violence in the UK than I thought. There [are](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42749089) (excluding the Greater Manchester Police because of reporting problems): > [@](#): > > There were 43,516 knife crime offences in the 12 months ending March 2019. > > This is an 80% increase from the low-point in the year ending March 2014, when there were 23,945 offences, and is the highest number since comparable data was compiled. > [@](#): > > In the latest figures, which include only selected knife offences, about half, 21,700, were assaults that caused an injury or where there was an intent to cause serious harm; a further 20,172 involved robberies. Prevalence varies by region. Almost half nationally are for the robbery category where there’s no attempt to actually stab the victim. Still in London where knife crime is the highest the numbers are troubling: > [@](#): > > Knife crime tends to be more prevalent in large cities, particularly in London. > > For every 100,000 people in the capital, there were 169 knife offences in 2018-19. That’s about 1 annual reported knife crime per 597 residents in London. A touch more than half of those are attempts to actually use the knife. You are correct that the numbers of knife crime related deaths nationwide are low. That’s below 300 in the entirety of the UK. Knife crime is high though. Death toll just isn’t a good measure of how often someone at least tries to stab someone else, let alone succeeds but doesn’t inflict a mortal wound. People are understandably unhappy about someone attacking them with a knife even if the mortality is relatively low. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/19 "2019-10-10T21:29:34Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Hard to believe that they actually have that much knife crime. Wonder if there are any stats on what the level is? I’d be surprised if we are talking more than a few hundred deaths a year, but maybe there is more knife violence in the UK than I thought. I honestly have never talked about this subject with any of my UK friends. There were 728 homicides in England & Wales in the reporting period 2017/2018 (presumably from April to April) > **[Homicides in England and Wales 2023 | Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/283093/homicides-in-england-and-wales/)** > > The number of homicides in England and Wales fell in 2022/23, when compared with the previous year, but remain higher than in the mid-2010s. of which 263 involved a blade of some sort [https://www.statista.com/statistics/978830/knife-homicides-in-england-and-wales/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/978830/knife-homicides-in-england-and-wales/) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606/20 "2019-10-10T21:32:28Z")
How many involved a candlestick, rope, wrench, or lead pipe? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606.md?page=2)