The Knives Act 1997 creates criminal offences in relation to the possession or marketing of, and publications relating to knives.
Here are simplified extracts of the Knives Act for your information:
The offences in relation to marketing
A person is guilty of an offence if he or she markets a knife in a way which:
a) indicates, or suggests, that it is suitable for combat; or
b) is otherwise likely to stimulate or encourage violent behaviour involving the use of the knife as a
An indication or suggestion that a knife is suitable for combat may, in particular, be given or made by a name or description:
a) applied to the knife;
b) on the knife or on any packaging in which it is contained; or
c) included in any advertisement which, expressly or by implication, relates to the knife.
A person markets a knife if:
a) he or she sells or hires it;
b) he or she offers, or exposes, it for sale or hire; or
c) he or she has it in his possession for the purpose of sale or
A person is guilty of an offence if he or she publishes any written, pictorial or other material in connection with the marketing of any knife and that material:
a) indicates, or suggests, that the knife is suitable for combat; or
b) is otherwise likely to stimulate or encourage violent behaviour involving the use of the knife as a
A person who is guilty of an offence within the Act is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; or, on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.