What is legal/illeagal (carrying knives)

Question

I have a pair of secatures (pruning clippers) that fold up in to a handy little case.

I carry them with me to that I can cut lengths of bramble vines for my pet stick insects while I am out.

I also take it camping as it is usefull for allsorts of uses.

In the handle of the secatuers is a mini saw, bottle opener and cork s***w, and two knife blades.

I am a 33 year old mother and do not really stop to talk to people in the street much, just cycle to work and the shops. If that makes a difference (you know, like I am not a kid, hanging on street corners)

I live in the uk and wonder if It is legal for me to carry this? For example if my bag was stolen would I be in trouble if I described my possesion?

Answer 1

I think a knife has to be under a certain length to be considered legal. I think its a few inches but I don't know the exact length.

Answer 2

No reasonable cop would find a problem, and if your bag was stolen you are not in possession of them anymore

Answer 3

I don't have a legal answer to this, but I understand since England in has strict gun laws, stabbing cases has risen. I also heard, not confirmed, that someone in government wants to outlaw knives with points.

Answer 4

It sounds like a Multi-tool you're describing. As long as you have a legal and genuine reason to carry one, then I see no way the police can get upset over it.

The blade of the multi-tool would also be quite small and wouldn't be seen as an obvious weapon. Although it could be used as one.

If it was lost of stolen and you reported it, decribe it as a multi-tool or describe it as you did and leave out the bit about a blade and I would have thought it would be fine. They can see you're not likely to use it as a weapon anyway.

Answer 5

In the UK, having knives in your bag illegal while walking in public? NO

So, any police officer would not have any issues with this situation but if you use your knife in any threatening way then the police officer would find it an offensive weapon.

If your bag was stolen from you... Yes, the police would ask questions about it but just be honest with them and say what are the reasons for having the knife in your bag.

It is not illegal to have a knife for varies things even if it is used for self defense...