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262 knives confiscated in family courts in 2019-20: BBC report

Three times as many knives were seized at London family courts in the year to April 2020 compared with the previous year, a BBC report has found.

A freedom of information request revealed that, in the 2019-20 financial year, 262 knives with blades longer than 3in were seized at family courtrooms, the report said. According to the BBC, the number rose from 86 knives seized in 2018-19.

In total, 5,000 bladed-articles, including knives under 3in and syringes, were found due to mandatory bag searches, metal detectors, and other security measures employed at family courts.

The majority of the items were found at the Central Family Court in London.

Adam Carey

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