Knife crime hits six-year high with 20,000 cases in 12 months as police fear epidemic will blight major cities

There were 20,100 knife possession cases last year, 8 per cent more than in 2016

1,180 young offenders cautioned or sentenced, the highest figure since 2009

40 per cent of people with a previous convictions for knives avoided prison

Police chiefs fear they are seeing the signs of a knife crime epidemic in cities

By IAN DRURY HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 22:00 BST, 14 September 2017 | UPDATED: 01:55 BST, 15 September 2017

Knife crime has rocketed to a six-year high amid police concerns about an epidemic of blades on the streets of England and Wales.

Courts dealt with more than 20,100 knife possession cases last year – the highest number since 2011, official figures show.

This was 8 per cent up on last year when 18,600 people were punished.

Meanwhile, the number of young offenders cautioned or sentenced after being caught with blades hit 1,180 between April and June – more than any time since September 2009.

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