Bristol teens can easily purchase knives online, prompting calls for stricter checks after a tragic attack.
Bristol: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says it’s too easy for teens to buy knives online. This comes after a tragic attack in Southport.
Last month, a teenager named Axel Rudakubana was sentenced for killing three girls. They were at a Taylor Swift dance class when he attacked.
Rudakubana used a knife he bought from Amazon. Knife crime has increased significantly in the Avon and Somerset area over the last decade.
In the year ending March 2024, Avon and Somerset Police recorded 1,576 serious knife-related crimes. This is a 25% increase from the previous year.
There were also 616 knife possession offences reported in the year to June 2024. This is nearly triple the number from a decade ago.
To tackle this issue, a community task force will be set up. They will discuss how to make a real difference in the community.
Efforts will focus on getting knives off the streets and raising awareness about the dangers of knife crime.
They will also review the Online Safety Bill to see if it adequately addresses harmful knife-related content online.
Raising awareness about the links between knife crime and social issues is crucial. This includes poverty, education, and youth services.
They plan to lobby the government for change, especially in light of the upcoming General Election.
Police will be held accountable for their plans to make Bristol safer. The statistics show Bristol has the highest rate of knife possession in the area.
In the last three years, there were 689 recorded crimes of knife possession in Bristol. This is significantly higher than in surrounding areas.
The government is considering new laws requiring retailers to verify buyers’ identities before selling knives. This could include asking for ID and a live video.
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 weapon online. New measures are promised in the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.
Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the ease with which children can access deadly knives. He insists that technology must be used to protect children.
The new Crime and Policing Bill will also impose sanctions on tech executives whose companies fail to comply with knife sale laws.
An Amazon spokesperson stated they take the sale of age-restricted items seriously and are investigating the case.
They use ID verification services to check buyers’ details and have age verification processes in place for deliveries.
