The first meeting of a special subgroup of the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum met yesterday (29 September) to examine responses to knife crime.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne.

The subgroup includes representatives of the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service, and members of youth justice and community safety bodies.

The group will assess available evidence to inform policy on knife crime, with particular reference to effectiveness of proposals, to inform both legislation and community-safety policies, programmes and practices.

Concern

Minister Browne said he understood the concern over the carrying of knives and associated crime, with recent tragic incidents having fatal consequences.

He added that there was a lack of robust, shared knowledge on ‘what works’ in reducing knife carrying and knife crime. 

“This sub-group will play a key role in establishing the best approaches which can be taken to dealing with these issues,” he said.

“It is important that we examine our present approach to see if we can improve not only our legislation, but also what else we can do in terms of crime prevention and community-based programmes. 

“Rather than simply considering punitive approaches, it is important that we also consider more holistic, community-oriented approaches that deal with the underlying factors,” he said.

Robust framework

There is already a robust legal framework in place with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned, the minister said.

The maximum penalty in the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 for a conviction for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority was increased from one to five years in an amendment introduced via the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

Research in the UK points to tougher sentencing, generally, not being seen as an effective strategy for reducing knife crime.

Response

Evidence also suggests that initiatives, such as amnesties, have, at best, a short-term effect. Knife crime and knife carrying, therefore, require a broader response beyond youth-justice interventions, as such crimes can involve quite a broad age-range, the minister said.

The Department of Justice is currently conducting a review in relation to knife crimes, including sentencing, and as well as issues such as targeted interventions, awareness raising, and community supports.