Almost a dozen repeat knife offenders in Cumbria were spared an immediate jail sentence last year, according to government figures.

Ministry of Justice figures show 31 repeat knife offenders aged over 18 in Cumbria went through the criminal justice system in the year ending September 2023, all found in possession of a knife.

Of these, 11 avoided immediate custody and were only cautioned or given a community/suspended sentence instead.

Nationally, 4,127 adults were found guilty of a repeat possession offence.

Of them, 62 per cent were sent to jail immediately – a significant fall from 71 per cent in 2018, three years after a new policy on repeat offenders was launched.

In 2015, the ‘two-strike’ rule was introduced, which promised adults convicted of carrying knives would face an automatic six-month prison sentence after their second conviction.

In the year to September 2018, 29 per cent walked free from jail but this went up to 38 per cent last year.

In Cumbria, nine of 51 repeat criminals were spared jail six years ago – a smaller proportion than in 2023.

Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust, an anti-knife crime charity, said: “The government’s ‘two-strike’ policy was presented as an important intervention in the fight against knife crime, promising to deter potential offenders and deliver justice for victims.

“Yet, the data paints a disturbing picture where four out of 10 repeat offenders are walking free.

“The Ben Kinsella Trust emphasises that this inconsistency between policy and practice undermines the very purpose of the two-strike rule.

“It fails to deliver a strong deterrent effect and leaves victims feeling like they haven't received the justice they deserve.”

The policy also applied to young offenders, with those aged 16 and 17 said to face a minimum four-month detention and training order.

Across England and Wales, there were 273 young offenders, 101 of whom were sentenced to immediate custody.

A government spokesperson said: “While sentencing is for independent courts, our latest figures show more knife-carrying criminals are being sent to jail and for longer than a decade ago.”

A spokesperson from Cumbria Constabulary said of how they fight knife crime: “Carrying a knife can quickly lead to yourself or someone else being seriously injured or killed.

“Cumbria is one of the safest places in the country to live, visit and work.

“There is no excuse for anyone to seek to protect themselves by carrying a knife or any other weapon in Cumbria.

“Cumbria police take reports of knife crime and knife carrying extremely seriously and continues to take positive action where reports are received.

“The constabulary regularly takes part in Operation Sceptre knife amnesties which has seen hundreds of blades taken out of our communities and we work with businesses on the sales of potential weapons.

“We also regularly visit schools to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of being in possession of a knife.

“Tackling knife crime and reducing violence is a top priority for Cumbria police and we will continue to work with our partners in the criminal justice system.”