JERSEY does not have a “widespread knife problem” and remains a “safe place to live”, the Home Affairs Minister has said after figures revealed there had been 12 incidents of knife possession in schools over the last five years.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat confirmed that while there had been incidents of under-18s carrying knives – possession of an offensive weapon – in school between 2020 and 2024, no crimes involving threats or use of those knives had been recorded on school premises during that period.
The number of incidents ranged from one to four per year, she said. Of those, one incident involved a plastic knife.
The number of incidents ranged from one to four per year, she said. Of those, one incident involved a plastic knife.
Outside of schools, however, 17 knife-related crimes involving young people were recorded between 2020 and 2024. These included 11 offences linked to grave and criminal assault, one case of affray and one attempted murder.
Averages for such offences has been steady over the last three years, with three recorded each year between 2022 and 2024 – a drop from seven in 2020.
The average age of suspects involved in these offences was 15.
Despite these figures, the minister said the data showed that Jersey “does not currently face a widespread knife problem” and remains a “safe place to live”.
Deputy Le Hegarat was responding to a written question from Deputy Max Andrews regarding knife incidents.
New legislation – the Crime (Public Order) Law 2024 – was introduced in October to clamp down on the possession of knives in public.
It was described by the States police as “a preventative step to ensure the safety of our young people and the wider community”.
The police are also working with the Jersey Youth Service and schools to “engage with young people, raise awareness, and address the misconceptions around carrying weapons”.
“The initiative encourages open dialogue in youth clubs, schools, and the community about the reasons behind carrying weapons and the risks involved,” the minister added.
Last year, police told the JEP that children had been suspects in over a third of all knife-related crimes in 2024.
