UK Government Proposes Stricter Regulations on Online Knife Sales Following Southport Murders
Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledges new legislation to prevent underage knife purchases online.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to implement stricter regulations to prevent individuals under 18 from purchasing knives online, following a tragic incident in Southport, Merseyside.
Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 years old at the time, obtained a knife through Amazon and used it to kill three individuals at a dance class in July.
In a session of Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, 'It is unacceptable that these murder weapons could be bought with two clicks.' He expressed the need for rapid technological interventions to prevent such incidents in the future.
The proposed regulations could require online retailers to verify buyers’ ages using dual forms of identification and live video recordings.
The Government has been spurred into action following the recent stabbing of a 12-year-old boy in Birmingham.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored the importance of new measures, condemning the ease with which Rudakubana was able to purchase a weapon online despite his history of violence.
Cooper pledged that the new Crime and Policing Bill, expected this spring, will include these measures.
Current UK law mandates age verification for knife sales, requiring identification checks at both the point of sale and delivery.
In response to the Southport case, Amazon stated that they have initiated an investigation and outlined their existing age verification processes.
Investigative efforts are underway, led by Commander Stephen Clayman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to further evaluate and improve the regulations surrounding online knife sales.
Additional sanctions may be introduced for technology executives whose platforms fail to enforce these laws.
The proposed legislative changes aim to enhance public safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 years old at the time, obtained a knife through Amazon and used it to kill three individuals at a dance class in July.
In a session of Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, 'It is unacceptable that these murder weapons could be bought with two clicks.' He expressed the need for rapid technological interventions to prevent such incidents in the future.
The proposed regulations could require online retailers to verify buyers’ ages using dual forms of identification and live video recordings.
The Government has been spurred into action following the recent stabbing of a 12-year-old boy in Birmingham.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored the importance of new measures, condemning the ease with which Rudakubana was able to purchase a weapon online despite his history of violence.
Cooper pledged that the new Crime and Policing Bill, expected this spring, will include these measures.
Current UK law mandates age verification for knife sales, requiring identification checks at both the point of sale and delivery.
In response to the Southport case, Amazon stated that they have initiated an investigation and outlined their existing age verification processes.
Investigative efforts are underway, led by Commander Stephen Clayman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to further evaluate and improve the regulations surrounding online knife sales.
Additional sanctions may be introduced for technology executives whose platforms fail to enforce these laws.
The proposed legislative changes aim to enhance public safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
