Offensive weapons meaning

ARCHIVED This Practice Note is archived and no longer maintained. For details on government bills relevant to corporate crime in 2026, see Practice Note: Corporate Crime bills tracker—2026. It recorded the progress of government bills affecting corporate crime that were introduced in the House of Commons or the House of Lords in the UK during 2025, and included links to further information on each measure. For key secondary legislation, consultations and other notable developments of interest to corporate crime lawyers in 2025, see Practice Note: Corporate Crime horizon scanner—2025 [Archived]. Criminal liability Bill Long title Impact for corporate crime lawyers Further material Crime and Policing Bill UK Parliament—progress A Bill to make provision regarding anti-social behaviour, offensive weapons, offences against persons (including sexual offences), property offences, the criminal exploitation of individuals, sex offenders, stalking and public order; to confer powers on the police, the border force and similar authorities; to provide for confiscation; to make provision about the police; to legislate on...

The offence of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place Under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (PCA 1953), it is unlawful to carry an offensive weapon in a public setting without lawful authority or a reasonable excuse. The case may proceed in the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. Where it appears that the magistrates’ sentencing powers are inadequate, they will refuse jurisdiction... Elements of the offence To secure a conviction under PCA 1953, s 1, the prosecution must establish that the defendant: has with them in a public place an offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse Has with them The prosecution must show the defendant was in possession of the item. However, the phrase ‘has with them’ goes beyond simple possession or control. The courts have determined it means ‘knowingly has with them’, requiring proof that the defendant had actual knowledge of possessing the item. For more on...

What are the key offences relating to the sale of knives? Section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988) bans the sale of specified offensive weapons, which encompasses certain knives. The CJA 1988 also sets out a discrete offence covering the sale of knives and related articles to those under 18. That offence, contained in CJA 1988, s 141A, is summary only. Sections 38, 39, 40 and 42 of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (OWA 2019) establish separate offences concerning the delivery of bladed products to residential premises, as well as the delivery of bladed products and bladed articles to persons under 18. The Knives Act 1997 (KA 1997) creates two additional offences addressing the unlawful marketing and publication of knives. These offences, under KA 1997, ss 1 and 2, are triable either in the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. For information on these offences, see Practice Note: Unlawful marketing and publication of knives. Sale of offensive weapons under CJA 1988, s 141:...