Knives most common weapon in violent crime
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Most crimes in Canada do not involve violence. When they do, most are committed with physical force or threats (76%) rather than a weapon (18%). When a weapon is used, a knife is the most common choice.
Half of those accused of violent crimes with a knife in 2008 were young people aged 12 to 24.
In 2008, police reported 23,500 victims of violent crime committed with a knife or another piercing or cutting instrument. That number represents 6% of all victims of violent crime. Violent crimes involving a club or blunt instrument accounted for 3%, and a firearm, 2%.
The rate of violent crime committed with a knife has remained stable since 1999. While the number of such crimes is low, they are most often homicides and attempted murders—approximately 1 out of 3 in 2008.
Knife-related violence was highest in the Prairie provinces, particularly in the cities of Winnipeg, Regina and Edmonton.
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