Knife crime on Britain’s rail network has more than tripled in the past three years, police figures suggest.

British Transport Police (BTP) recorded 1,059 offences involving a knife or bladed article in 2018, up from 338 in 2015. There were 417 in 2016 and 632 in 2017.

The number of people caught carrying a knife rose steeply. Possession of an offensive weapon increased more than five times from 24 in 2015 to 136 in 2018. There were 57 recorded instances in 2016, and 52 in 2017.

POLICE Knives
(PA Graphics)

Figures for having an article with a blade or point in a public place rose from 103 in 2015, to 164 in 2016, 222 in 2017, and 387 in 2018.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell from BTP said the chance of being a victim of crime on the rail network is “rare”, with 19 crimes recorded for every million passenger journeys in the year to March 2018.

A range of offences involving a knife were recorded by the force, including violence against the person, sexual offences, criminal damage, robbery, theft and drug crime.

Violence against the person involving a knife, which includes crimes such as murder, attempted murder, GBH and possession of a bladed weapon, showed a stark increase.

The numbers for violence against the person only were:
2015 – 180
2016 – 277
2017 – 402
2018 – 695

Within this, there were increases in attempted murder, GBH with intent, ABH, threats to kill and common assault.

POLICE Knives
(PA Graphics)

Threats with a knife went from three in 2015, to 12 in 2016, 31 in 2017, and 40 in 2018.

Mr Furnell said: “Tackling any rise in crime and removing weapons from the rail network remains our top priority and nationwide, officers have been working tirelessly in the battle against knife crime.

“In response to a national rise in violence and knife crime, officers have conducted a number of intelligence-led operations, focused on cutting knife crime.

“These operations involve plainclothed and uniformed officers and have been highly successful in knives being seized and surrendered.

“Likewise, these targeted operations act as a deterrent to those intent in carrying weapons, these types of offences will be rigorously tackled and our overriding interest is protecting people who use the rail network.

“Of course, passengers and rail staff are the eyes and ears of the rail network and we would encourage anyone who has any concerns to report matters to us by sending us a text on 61016.”