Ma... rtin the knife

Many years ago I rather famously tried to board a plane at Changi with my Leatherman still in my bum bag.

The Singapore Airlines lady at the X-Ray machine held it aloft and asked out loud: 'Is this your deadly weapon, Mr. Martin'.

Oops. At best, £60 down the drain. At worst, nicked.

But then she then popped it in a Jiffy bag and handed it to the flight crew to return upon my arrival back in the UK.

Where, it would seem, I would indeed now be at best relived of it and/or nicked.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse I know, but I now have to ask just what the hell it is illegal to carry on one's person or not, and in what circumstances.

What will next be ... possibly... illegal (at whim of our knee-jerk, fine-addicted, target-obsessed justice brigade) for how it might be used?

BBC - Youth crime plan to be unveiled

I have written to the Home Office*:

As a keen outdoorsperson and DIYer, I often have had occasion to have such as a Leatherman and indeed other sharp objects (that could be used for violent purposes) about my person or in my car or luggage when out and about.

To avoid at best losing a valued tool and at worst falling foul of the law, please can you clarify for me what I am allowed to carry in public, when and in what circumstances.

Newsnight -

As initiatives seem to become law - and vague ones at that (whim and 'interpretation' now being be the best way to fine for revenue or incarcerate to meet targets - at the drop of the hat, I have been moved to write to the Home Office: (above)

Or maybe our national broadcaster might be able (or at least be the unwitting vehicle) to assist me in not remaining ignorant of our ever-evolving (daily) legal system?

Indy - Addendum - Mr Stanley (letters, 15 July) should have gone armed with – as well as his Swiss Army knife – section 139(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This contains an exception for a folding pocket-knife which has a cutting edge to its blade not exceeding three inches. The blade of my Swiss Army Explorer is just under two and a half inches.

Newsnight addendum: 13 & 17..

FWIW, this from today's Indy:

'...should have gone armed with – as well as [their pocket knives] – section 139(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This contains an exception for a folding pocket-knife which has a cutting edge to its blade not exceeding three inches.'

I remain unsure as to how all this plays out, however, especially with the state of this country and the reactions, and over-reactions of those tasked to 'run' it.

Especially as, playing Devil's Advocate, I have a vague notion that the distance from the exterior of a person's chest to a fatal part of the heart might fall within 3".

Or the length of a screw driver... or...

If someone has the intention of hurting another, if one means of doing it is removed I rather suspect they will just find an alternative.

So with the brainpower be deployed at senior levels of government these days, and the levels of challenge they get from the media, I anticipate we shall soon be glazing with sugar panes and required to only wear flip-flops on building sites.

CH4 Fact Check - NEW - FactCheck: knife crime U-turn? - I don't real care much on U-turns, but in this case it seems to matter more to those who obviously handbrake-turned that they spin they didn't... which is no way to run a government.

*Who have now kindly replied:

Thank you for your e-mail of 15 July about the carrying of sharp objects about your person. Your e-mail has been passed to the Direct Communications Unit, and I have been asked to respond.

Many people carry knives for legitimate purposes. Some people no doubt need to carry knives for their work; people who have bought kitchen knives need to get them home. Sometimes knives are worn for religious reasons - for example kirpans worn by Sikhs – or as part of national costume – for example the Scotsman carrying his skean-dhu in his kilt stocking.

There are two offences under which someone carrying a knife in public can be prosecuted.

Section1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 makes it an offence for a person to have an offensive weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse of lawful authority. An offensive weapon is defined as any article, which is made, adapted, or intended to cause injury.

Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is an offence for a person to have a bladed or sharply pointed article - other than a small folding pocket knife - in a public place without good reason, with the onus on the knife-carrier to show that he has good reason. While “good reason” provides the main defence, the Act also provides certain specific defences for those who have knives with them for use at work, as part of a national costume, or for religious reasons.

Clear enough... as far as it goes, but also still awfully vague IMHO, and riven with ways a devious miscreant could use to weasel through. As a half-Scots, secular white guy, I am hoping 'middle-aged, middle-income, middle-class and middle of the road' will be a good enough excuse. Mind you, I can think of a few exceptions already...

Telegraph - NEW - Prison for Prince Charles if knife in sock passes into England

Interesting. Amongst others I asked the Home Office. It would appear that no one knows what is legal or not.

Great way to run a country.