Which offense prohibits possession of a bladed or pointed article in a public place?

• A. Public Order Act 1986, section 3.
• B. Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 139(1).
• C. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 5.
• D. Police Act 1996, section 89.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is carrying a weapon in public. The Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 139(1), makes it an offense to have in a public place any article with a blade or a pointed article that could be used as a weapon. That’s why “bladed or pointed article” in a public place is tied to this statute—the law targets possession of offensive weapons in public spaces, not behavior, drugs, or policing powers. The other listed acts cover different areas: the Public Order Act addresses threatening or disorderly conduct, the Misuse of Drugs Act deals with drugs, and the Police Act relates to police powers and procedures. So the Criminal Justice Act 1988 provision is the one that directly covers possessing a bladed or pointed article in public. There are generally defenses for legitimate reasons (like work or sport), but the core idea remains the public-place possession of such items.