§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many knife attacks were reported in(a) the UK and (b) Sefton in each of the past 10 years; and how many of these attacks were fatal. [124108]
§ Ms BlearsDetails of homicides held centrally relate to England and Wales only and are not collected by local authority area. The number of homicides committed using a sharp instrument, in each of the past 10 years, are given in the table.
968W
Offences currently1 recorded as homicide involving a sharp instrument2, England and Wales 1992 218 1993 182 1994 231 1995 244 1996 197 1997 200 1997–98 202 1998–99 202
Offences currently1 recorded as homicide involving a sharp instrument2, England and Wales 1999–2000 213 2000–01 215 2001–02 265 1 As at 8 October 2002; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available. 2 Figures are on a calendar year basis from 1992 to 1997, and thereafter on a financial year basis (12 months to March). Numbers of other knife attacks are not collected separately by the Home Office.
Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.