As someone who dabbles in law enforcement, I often feel the need to clarify some of the beliefs about being caught in possession of a bladed article. Chris rightly states our powers have not changed in relation to section 1 PACE (power to stop+search). I can confirm:
1) if you’re in a rural setting with a belt knife, are friendly, and have good reason to carry it and don’t try to hide, you’ll have no issue. It’s like with shotguns/firearms. I have worked rurally and on many an occasion chatted happily to someone with a gun slung over their shoulder where in a city it would have been a full firearms authority.
2) if you head into an urban setting, put the knife in a bag. You’ve still got good reason to carry it as you’re going from A to B.
3) police have no interest whatsoever in persecuting law-abiding citizens. If you’re not committing offences while in possession of a blade, are always polite and reasonable, and follow the two rules above, you’ll be extremely unlikely to find difficulty.
Remember, just have a good, lawful excuse to carry it. Work? Perfect. Doing a bit of forestry? No prob. Gardening? Ideal. Self defence? NEVER!!!!!
I always carry my UKPK.m, both on and off duty. When I head to the woods, my knife is always on my belt, sometimes even breaking my rule for a trip to the shops. But I always clearly look like someone who is working rurally. I never worry.
Feel free to contact me with any other questions.
Cheers.
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