Clarke poised to reject calls for mandatory sentences for under-18s carrying knives

26 October 2011 1 min read Neil Puffett Youth Justice Courts and sentencing Policing Youth custody Legal

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has told a group of MPs he is likely to oppose calls to introduce mandatory sentences for children caught carrying knives.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, currently going through parliament, will introduce a mandatory sentence for adults.

But Labour has put down an amendment calling for mandatory sentences to be extended to under-18s, a move said to be supported by Home Secretary Theresa May and London mayor Boris Johnson.

Speaking before the home affairs select committee, Clarke said he was likely to argue against such a move.

"The argument in favour appears to be based on an inaccurate figure that 40 per cent of those committing knife crime are juveniles, which is not true," he said. "I’m not sure where it comes from but it is about twice the correct figure.

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