Bristol’s Prime Minister warns that teens can easily purchase knives online, prompting calls for stricter checks after a tragic attack in Southport.
Last month, a teenager named Axel Rudakubana was sentenced for killing three girls at a dance class. He used a knife he bought online, highlighting a serious issue.
Knife crime has increased significantly in the Avon and Somerset area. Bristol has the highest rates of knife possession in the region.
In the year ending March 2024, Avon and Somerset Police recorded 1,576 serious knife-related offences. This is a 25% increase from the previous year.
The number of knife possession offences also rose to 616 in the year ending June 2024. This is nearly triple the amount from a decade ago.
To tackle this issue, a community task force will be set up. They will discuss ways to reduce knife crime and work with local campaigners.
The government plans to introduce stricter measures for online knife sales. Retailers may need to ask for two forms of ID before selling knives.
Employment minister Alison McGovern emphasized the need for these measures to prevent tragedies. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called it a disgrace that Rudakubana could buy a knife online.
Sir Keir Starmer stated that it remains too easy for children to access deadly knives. He urged for better age verification checks for online purchases.
The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill will impose new penalties on tech companies that fail to comply with knife sale laws. Retailers must verify a customer’s age before selling knives.
An Amazon spokesperson said they take age verification seriously and are investigating the case. They use trusted ID verification services for age-restricted items.
