Knife offences hit record high in 2019 in England and Wales

Police recorded 45,267 crimes, concentrated in big cities, 49% higher than in 2011

The number of offences involving knives recorded by police in England and Wales in 2019 was the highest on record, official statistics have revealed, with big cities driving up the numbers.

There were 45,627 offences involving knives or sharp instruments recorded by police in 2019, a 7% rise year on year, and 49% higher than 2011 when comparable records began, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.