Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1329. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of knives that have been seized by An Garda Síochána to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39131/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1330. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons charged with knife crimes in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39132/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1329 and 1330 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government shares the significant public concern arising from serious crimes involving knives in recent months and years. We are all conscious of the very serious impact which violent crime has on victims and families, particularly attacks of a random nature. I condemn such crimes in the strongest possible terms.

Crime of any sort is not a phenomenon that exists in isolation. It is inevitably connected to significant and often complex underlying factors. Information provided by An Garda Síochána notes that knife related crime trends should also be viewed in the context of the pandemic and the associated general decrease in criminality, but also the successful number of proactive seizures and interventions by Gardaí. 

An Garda Síochána is currently operating an Assault Reduction Strategy, which includes assaults with offensive weapons and the 'Use your Head, not your Fists' campaign, highlighting the dangers and consequences of assaults to not only the victims, but to the perpetrator as well.

My Department is also currently looking at data sources to improve data quality in this area. Officials are engaging with public health colleagues, as well as An Garda Síochána, to improve our understanding of the level of violent assaults within our society.

Recently, there has also been an increase of knives seized due to proactive policing operations, particularly during 2020 with the increased Garda presence in support of the national COVID-19 public health response. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that, from 1 January to 14 July 2021, there have been 999objects recorded on PULSE as seized that are classified as the sub-type of object 'knife'.

In relation to the number of persons charged with 'knife crimes', as advised previously to the Deputy, 'knife crimes' covers a broad range of offences, including assault, robbery and intimidation, and therefore it is not possible to collate information on 'knife crimes' in the format requested. To be of assistance, however, I have contacted An Garda Síochána to obtain information relating to the number of persons charged with possession of an offensive weapon without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, contrary to Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (as amended).

The table below outlines the total number of charges or summons created nationwide since 1 January 2015 for offences under section 9(1) and section 9(4) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.

*Figures for 2021 are up to the 14 July 2021 only.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that multiple charges or summonses may be issued for incidents if, for example, there are multiple offenders or multiple categories of charges. Furthermore, charges or summonses may not have been issued in relation to all incidents to date. It is also important to note that the provisions of the Act do not distinguish knives from other offensive weapons (such as knuckledusters, guns etc.) and the information above should not be read to relate solely to persons charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a result.

All information provided was drawn from PULSE and is therefore operational and liable to change.