Current advice from the 29th Cambridge Scout Troop –

There is an element of coming-of-age about getting your first penknife; a mastery of your own environment with a tool that is too dangerous to be trusted on mere children. Knives are truly life savers when in extreme situations and using one can be very satisfying when not; knowing how to use one is something everyone should be prepared to learn, scouts in particular.

Diktat just reported by the Press Association –

(UKPA) – 5 hours ago

Scouts may find themselves not so well-prepared after being all but banned from carrying penknives.

The crackdown on knife culture has prompted the movement’s leaders to bar Scouts from having penknives except in “specific” circumstances.

Advice published in Scouting magazine said confusion over the legality of carrying a knife in public meant a change of rules was necessary.

Dave Budd, who runs courses for Scouts on the safe use of blades, said: “Scouts often have the need for a good knife, and in the early days every Scout was actively encouraged to put a knife on their belt.

“Sadly, there is now confusion about when a Scout is allowed to carry a knife.”

He added: “The series of high-profile fatal stabbings highlighted a growing knife culture in the UK. I think it is safest to assume that knives of any sort should not be carried by anybody to a Scout meeting or camp, unless there is likely to be a specific need for one.

“In that case, they should be kept by the Scout leaders and handed out as required.”

The law currently permits anyone to carry fold-up knives with blades that are shorter than three inches. They can also be bought by people under 18, but it is illegal to sell other sorts of knives to anyone aged 17 and under.

No doubt the lanyard is to be kept in a cupboard too, in case anyone tries auto-erotic asphyxiation; the ‘camping’ tent is locked away – could be homeoerotic; I doubt if the bible has been seen in years, can the woggle survive? Watch this space.

Tagged as: Boy Scouts Penknife, Knife crime.