To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of crimes involving knives were reported in Belfast, North constituency in each year since 2002. (168487)

The number of incidents of crimes involving knives in North Belfast District Command Unit in each year since 2002 is as follows:

In addition to raising the age at which knives can be purchased from 16 to 18 years of age, I have recently published proposals to toughen the laws on knife crime in Northern Ireland. The proposed changes will double the penalties for a series of knife crimes including possession, manufacture and sales offences and are part of the draft proposed Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2007 published for consultation on 8 November.