The report is based on the statistical trends of cautioning and sentencing from October to December 2018.
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"In 2018, 21,484 knife and offensive weapon offenses were formally dealt with by the CJS. This is the highest number of offenses dealt with since 2009 (25,103)," the report said.
In addition, the ministry noted that for 72 percent of the offenders, this was their first knife or offensive weapon possession offense. Also, offenders were now more likely to receive an immediate sentence for a knife and offensive weapon offense, compared to 10 years ago, the ministry said.
Knife crime surged by 16 percent in London in 2018, according to figures released by the city's metropolitan police. In early March, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid met with police chiefs from various jurisdictions to discuss the growing knife crime trend, which UK Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick attributed to falling police numbers and budget cuts.