HC Deb 08 February 1988 vol 127 c38W
Mr. Shersby

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted of carrying knives in the Metropolitan police area for the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available.

Mr. John Patten

The readily available information relates to possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. A total of 1,840 persons were found guilty of such offences in the Metropolitan police district in 1986.