HOW many old-age pensioners (OAPS) were arrested for carrying a weapon in the past five years?

Between April 2020 and March 2025, 31 people were arrested for possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.

The FOI, submitted to Devon and Cornwall Police, details the number of arrests per financial year; 2023/24 saw the most arrests, with 2020/21 and 2022/23 tied for the least at three arrests.

The bulk of those arrested were men, the FOI shows.

Possession of a bladed article in public or possession of an offensive weapon is a criminal offence that can result in a prison sentence of up to four years.