Nearly two-thirds of cautions or convictions for knife crime in Avon and Somerset were handed to first-time offenders, new figures show.

Anti-knife crime charity the Ben Kinsella Trust said the high proportion of first-time offenders is a "red flag", showing more investment into preventative measures is needed.

Ministry of Justice figures show 267 first-time knife crime offenders in Avon and Somerset went through the criminal justice system in the year ending September 2023. They accounted for 65% of the total 412 criminals found guilty of knife and offensive weapon offences – down from 69% the year before.

Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said the high rate of first-time offenders reflects a need for "urgent action and a shift in focus".

He added: "While all knife crime is unacceptable, the high proportion of first-time offenders is a red flag. It exposes a cycle where people are often drawn into violence and face potentially life-altering consequences. This is not just a criminal justice issue, but a societal one demanding a multifaceted response."

Across England and Wales, the proportion of first-time offenders for knife and offensive weapon offences fell slightly from 70% in 2022 to 69% last year. It was the lowest proportion of first-time offenders recorded over the past decade.

The figures also show 17% of knife crime offenders in England and Wales last year were under 18 years old. Of the offenders dealt with by Avon and Somerset Constabulary, 52 were children (13%).

Mr Green said: "Young people are particularly vulnerable to the allure of knife crime due to complex factors like poverty, lack of opportunity, social media and exposure to violence."

"Simply arresting our way out of this crisis is not enough. We need to invest in preventative measures that address these root causes," he added.

Overall, 34% of knife crime offenders in Avon and Somerset were given an immediate sentence while 18% received a suspended sentence. About 25% of them were given community sentences and 10% were cautioned.

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, knife crime lead for Avon and Somerset Police, said: "It is important to stress that addressing the issues of knife carrying and serious violence is a year-round effort which relies on the support of our communities and partners.

 "Our bleed kit and knife surrender campaigns are two fantastic examples of this partnership work, while the investment in educational initiatives being delivered through the Violence Reduction Partnership is another essential element in helping to deter people from becoming involved in serious violence.

 "Our key focus throughout is on the drive to encourage young people to stop carrying knives on them in public, by tackling the misconception that people need to arm themselves to be safe. In reality, we know that very few people carry a knife, but to that tiny minority, and any young person who is considering taking a knife out on to the streets with them, I'd urge you to not to do this. Not only is it illegal, but it actually places you at far greater risk of being injured."

In the year ending September 2023, police recorded 27,846 'possession of article with a blade or point' offences in England and Wales. (ONS, 2023). Tragically, teenagers remain over twice as likely to be fatally stabbed than they were ten years ago and 82% of homicides among teenage victims involve the use of a sharp instrument (ONS, 2024).

A Home Office spokesperson said the number of hospital admissions for young people with serious knife injuries has fallen in recent years, but added more needs to be done to "address the root causes of this violence".

They said: "We have banned zombie and cyclone knives and are going further to stop more zombie-style machetes from being used on our streets. We are also investing a further £200 million into the Youth Endowment Fund, and our Violence Reduction units, in combination with Grip hotspot policing patrols, have prevented an estimated 3,220 hospital admissions for violent injuries since 2019."