Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Starmer vows tougher controls on online knife sales

His statement follows the case of a 17-year-old who used a knife bought on Amazon to kill three young girls in a stabbing spree last July.

Starmer-Getty

Starmer called for the use of technology to introduce age verification systems for online knife sales. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has announced plans for stricter measures to prevent under-18s from purchasing knives online.

His statement follows the case of a 17-year-old who used a knife bought on Amazon to kill three young girls in a stabbing spree last July.


Writing in The Sun, Starmer described the process of buying knives online as "shockingly easy," highlighting that the teenager, Axel Rudakubana, was able to purchase the weapon without any checks. "Tragically he was still able to order the murder weapon off of the internet without any checks or barriers. A two-click killer. This cannot continue," Starmer said.

Rudakubana, who has pleaded guilty to the killings, is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday at Liverpool Crown Court.

Starmer called for the use of technology to introduce age verification systems for online knife sales.

"The technology is there to set up age verification checks, even for kitchen knives ordered online. We must now use it to protect our children from future attack," he said.

The announcement came amid another knife-related tragedy in the UK. A 12-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Birmingham on Tuesday, and a 14-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident, according to police.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the ease of online knife purchases, calling it a "total disgrace" during a session in Parliament. She also promised new measures under the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

Current legislation requires retailers to verify a customer's age when selling knives and, for online purchases, at the point of collection or delivery.

Amazon, in response to the Rudakubana case, said it had launched an "urgent investigation."

A spokesperson explained, "We use trusted ID verification services to check name, date of birth and address details whenever an order is placed for these bladed items." The company also stated that it has an age verification process during delivery.

Starmer has previously called knife crime in the UK a "national crisis."

In September, the government banned "zombie"-style hunting knives with blades over 20 centimetres.

A BBC report has suggested that a review of online knife sales for the government could propose a two-step verification process, involving identity documents and live video recordings to confirm a buyer's age.

The review, led by Commander Stephen Clayman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, is expected later this month.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK Introduces Digital Entry Permit for European Visitors

The ETA can be purchased online for £10 (12 euros), but the cost will rise to £16 from 9 April. (Representational image: Reuters)

Reuters

European visitors to UK will now need digital entry permit

FROM WEDNESDAY, European visitors to the UK will need an online entry permit as part of new travel requirements introduced by the British government.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a digital permit, will be required for travellers from Europe. UK officials say the move aims to enhance border security and simplify entry procedures.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Imran-Khan-Getty

Imran Khan, founder of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been in jail since August 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

FORMER Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on human rights and democracy.

The nomination was announced by members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA), an advocacy group formed in December, who are also part of the Norwegian political party Partiet Sentrum.

Keep ReadingShow less