Carrying knives

[Criminal Justice Act 1988, Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 & Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006]

It is illegal to have any sharply pointed or bladed instrument in your possession, in a public place without good reason or lawful authority (see below regarding folding pocket knives). The information on this page covers the laws of England, Scotland and Wales.

A public place is anywhere that the public has, or is permitted to have access to, even if they must pay to do so. This not only covers areas such as roads and highways, shops, and pubs but also less obvious areas. This is important to realise for those working or spending leisure time in the countryside, as public footpaths or other rights of way come under the definition of a public place.

Estate land where the public may have access is also a public place, even if it is privately owned. Your car or other vehicle is also classed as a public place while on the highway, and the police now have search and seize powers without warrant with respect to knives.

‘Good reason’ for carrying a knife may be shown by occupation as a farmer, estate manager, recreational stalker, game shooter, angler or anyone else who has reasonable grounds or expecting to need a knife while pursuing a lawful activity.

Leaving a knife in the car, or in your pocket for when you next go shooting, or forgetting that it is there, is not a defence.

Carrying a knife in public must be in connection with the activity for which it is needed. Leaving it in your car or going into a shop with a knife in your pocket if you are returning from or going to a place where you farm, fish or shoot etc. would constitute good reason, even though you do not have an immediate need to use the knife on the spot.