Fewer knife crime offenders in Dorset were jailed last year, according to new figures.

Data from the Ministry of Justice shows just 34 criminals convicted for knife and offensive weapon offences received an immediate custody sentence in the year to September 2022 - less than one in five (19%) of those convicted.

This was down on the proportion of offenders handed an immediate sentence in 2020-21 (22%), and below the proportion two years prior (26%).

Dorset Police said tackling knife crime remained a ‘top priority’ with Mark Callaghan, chief superintendent, said they would ‘relentlessly pursue those who commit an offence involving a knife’.

He added: “While we do not have the extent of knife crime that is reported in some metropolitan areas of the country, we remain committed to relentlessly pursuing those who commit an offence involving a knife.

“Knife crime remains a top priority for the Force and the partners that we work with, and we are doing all we can to reduce offences in the county.

“We take a proactive approach to education and prevention around knife crime and work closely with schools, charities and community groups to ensure that messages about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife reaches young people in schools and colleges. 

“We also regularly take part in the national Op Sceptre knife amnesty campaign and carry out other proactive work to raise awareness of the issues around knife crime. 

“We would encourage anyone with concerns about a knife carrier to contact Dorset Police so we can take action and if appropriate put safeguarding measures in place to protect anyone who may be vulnerable.

“Knife crime will not be tolerated in Dorset and where we receive intelligence regarding people being in possession of weapons that are unlawful to own, we will take necessary action.”

Across England and Wales, nearly 19,400 knife and offensive weapon offences were formally dealt with – a decrease of 5% since the year ending September 2021.

This is despite separate figures showing an 11% increase in knife crime over the course of the same period.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “More criminals caught carrying a knife are being sent to jail for longer than they were a decade ago thanks to the decisive action of this Government to protect the public and make our streets safer.

“Our recent changes to sentencing mean repeat knife offenders are now more likely to face jail and the extra 20,000 police officers we are recruiting will help bring more criminals to justice.”