Yvette Cooper has expressed her shock at the ease with which children can purchase knives online compared to cigarettes and scratchcards. The Home Secretary is set to unveil a series of measures aimed at saving lives following a damning report that exposed alarming loopholes in current legislation.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ms Cooper said: “We have this crazy situation where there’s often more checks for alcohol or for cigarettes or all these different things, and yet these are lethal weapons.
“And so that’s why we have to change the law.”
In an unprecedented move, a new police unit will be established to crack down on the sale of deadly weapons via social media, and the Government is considering mandatory licensing along with harsher prison sentences for those who profit from selling dangerous items. The urgency of these measures is underscored by the tragic story of nine year old Alice da Silva Aguiar from Southport, whose family has spoken out about their devastating loss.
Pooja Kanda, mother of Ronan who was fatally stabbed with a sword purchased online, believes her son would still be alive if such laws were already in effect, reports the Mirror.
The proposed legislation, which MPs will debate next week, will compel online retailers to report any bulk purchases they suspect might lead to weapons being resold. Retailers failing to comply could face penalties of up to £10,000.
An unsettling report penned by Commander Stephen Clayman, who leads the national police efforts against knife crime, has exposed that legislation surrounding online knife sales is less stringent than that for alcohol, tobacco, fireworks or even scratchcards. He’s flagged up that a “grey market” of lethal weapons on platforms such as Snapchat and Telegram is thriving.
Due to be released today, his report draws attention to one particular vendor – Weapons R Us – which has inflated prices for blades peddled through social media channels. Clayman’s findings will propose a range of life-saving initiatives.
The Home Office intends to get tough on those dealing knives to minors, extending potential prison sentences from six months to two years. This will affect not only those handling the illicit transactions but also the CEOs at the helm of such companies.
Additionally, possessing an offensive weapon with violent intentions will become a specific criminal offence, punishable by up to four years behind bars. In efforts to only permit responsible sales, the Home Office is considering the introduction of a registration scheme for online knife vendors.
Ms Cooper reflected on the heinous murder of 16 year old Ronan, stressing the urgency for new legislation. One of Ronan’s killers had managed to purchase a 20-inch blade over the internet using his mother’s ID, collecting it unquestioned.
Ronan tragically lost his life when he was mistakenly targeted and stabbed on his way home in Wolverhampton during 2022. Since the appalling incident, Ronan’s mother Pooja has been fervently advocating for stricter controls.
Ms Cooper, who recently visited Ronan’s family at his school in Wolverhampton, expressed her concerns about the current state of affairs: “All of the checks that should have happened didn’t,” she said. Emphasising the need for action, she added: “That’s why we have to crack down.”
She also highlighted the urgency to eliminate dangerous gaps in the system: “That’s why we have to close these lethal loopholes.”
Continuing her remarks, Ms Cooper pointed out that this issue is not isolated: “This is not just one awful case where some things have gone wrong.”
She warned: “This is happening multiple times across the country. It is far too easy for people to be able to get knives.”
The conversations with families bereaved by knife crime have been a driving force behind Ms Cooper’s determination to strengthen legislation. She shared her empathy and motivation: “I think as a parent, there’s nothing that is harder to bear than the idea of losing a child.”
She went on to say: “And when you see parents who have lost a child and who are still campaigning, and the courage that they show, I can’t imagine how they’re able to do that. And they are really powerful voices when they talk about all of the things that went wrong and all of the things that maybe could have been different, that maybe could have saved their child’s life.”
Mr Clayman’s review, which was initiated by the Home Secretary last year, uncovered alarming deficiencies related to online knife sales. He stated: “All too often in policing, we are dealing with the horrific consequences of knife crime and seeing how it devastates individuals and families.”
He further revealed: “The evidence in the end-to-end review clearly demonstrates just how easy it is for anyone to purchase a knife online, often avoiding any age verification at all, or where it is in place, exploiting vulnerabilities, especially with delivery.”
He stated that the alterations would “significantly enhance” efforts to combat the crisis. Under his plans, businesses will be breaking the law if they sell knives without a licence.
Ministers are confident that a robust new licensing system will be an effective tool in ensuring age checks are properly conducted. The changes will also address an inconsistency where penalties for illegal possession of a knife are harsher than those for illegal supply of a knife.
This is contrary to how drug laws are enforced. Anti-knife crime campaigners have welcomed the new laws.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, expressed his satisfaction that the Government is listening. He said: “These new laws, particularly the focus on reporting suspicious purchases and stronger age verification, will compel retailers to take responsibility for their actions.
“It has been our stated position that a licencing system for retailers is only way to ensure that specialised knives are only sold to those with legitimate and lawful need.
“A licensing system will ensure that only reputable retailers who comply with the law and prioritise public safety will be able to sell knives”.