Children as young as 13 'involved in knife crime' as figures double in last three years

Machetes, zombie knives and kitchen knives all seized from people in Cardiff Credit: ITV Wales

Knife crime is on the rise in Wales.

In fact, figures from ITV Wales show last year, there were more than 1700 knife crime incidents recorded by police and almost 1000 arrests relating to knife crimes were made.

South Wales has seen the biggest rise, with knife crime more than doubling in the last three years.

That's why Operation Sceptre was set up in July last year.

A team of specially trained police officers are targeting the problem in our capital.

In the last six months alone, they have seized 46 weapons and made 147 arrests related to knife crime.

PC Aled Williams from South Wales police shows some of the weapons seized by Operation Sceptre. Credit: ITV Wales

PC Aled Wiliams from South Wales Police said the force is seeing a rise in young people carrying weapons.

Malaciah Thomas was stabbed to death in July 2018 Credit: South Wales Police

Knife crime can leave families and communities heartbroken.

Victims like Malaciah Thomas who was brutally stabbed just two days before his 21st birthday.

Youth worker, Ali Abdi says children as young as 13 have been involved in knife crime Credit: ITV Wales

Ali Abdi is a youth worker in Cardiff who told ITV Wales children as young as 13 are involved in knife crime in the city.

So what's the law when it comes to knives? Alexandra Hartley explains:

  • It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under 18 years old

  • It is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason, unless it has a folding blade of 3 inches or less

  • Carrying an illegal knife can mean up to four years in prison

  • It is illegal to carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife

  • It is illegal to use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife)

Watch Alexandra Hartley's full report on the rise of knife crime here: