Children admit carrying knives for protection, despite risk to themselves

The figures, based on interviews with almost 2,000 children aged 13-15 for the British Crime Survey, were released yesterday to show children’s experiences of bullying and personal safety.

One child in 100 children said he or she had carried a knife for personal protection in the last year, while more than one in eight said they knew someone who had, the figures showed.

But more than two in three (69 per cent) agreed that carrying a knife meant they were more likely to get stabbed themselves, with younger children more likely to think that having a knife increased their chances of being harmed.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the Government was “absolutely clear” that anybody convicted of possessing a knife should expect to be sent to prison after ex-EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella, whose 16-year-old brother Ben was stabbed to death three years ago, published a report on the issue in February.

The figures also showed that around one in five children (22 per cent) aged 10 to 15 reported being bullied in a way that frightened or upset them in the last year, with 10- to 12-year-old boys the most likely to have been bullied.

Most incidents took place at school, and involved children being called names or sworn at (79 per cent) or made to hand over money or other items (7 per cent).