This report will contain findings from an assessment of the impact and implementation of the Bladed articles and offensive weapons offences guidelines. The evaluation includes analysis of data from a collection exercise that was undertaken in magistrates’ courts in England and Wales before and after the definitive guidelines came into effect in June 2018. Sentencers were asked to complete a survey form whenever they sentenced an adult offender for offences of possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon, where this was the principal offence. These data will be published alongside the evaluation.

Release date: 1 August 2024 (9:30am)