Knives and the law in the UK It's illegal to carry a knife in public, even if you're not behaving in a threatening manner and don't plan to use it. Carrying a knife in the UK could see you facing a penalty of four years' imprisonment and a £5,000 fine for doing so.

Carrying a kitchen knife in public in the UK is illegal unless you have a "good reason." Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is an offense to carry any bladed or sharply pointed object in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. In 2026, "good reasons" are strictly defined: you might be carrying it home from the shop where you just bought it, taking it to a professional sharpener, or using it for work (e.g., a chef traveling to a shift). Simply "having it for protection" is never a valid reason and can lead to a prison sentence of up to 4 years. If you are transporting a kitchen knife, the police recommend keeping it in its original packaging or wrapped securely and placed at the bottom of a bag or in a car boot to demonstrate that it is not readily accessible. The only knives that can be carried without a "good reason" are non-locking folding pocket knives with a cutting edge of less than 3 inches (7.62 cm).