New anti-zombie knife legislation a ‘ban in name only’, critics say
The government’s crackdown on zombie knives and machetes has come under fire by critics who argue that the new legislation is a ban in name only due to a perceived loophole that allows deadly blades to still be bought and sold online.
On Thursday, the Home Office announced its plans to outlaw the possession, sale, purchase, manufacture, and conveyance of all zombie-style knives and machetes later this year. However, critics argue that the new definition is too easy to bypass, as it will only cover weapons that are more than eight inches long, have serrated edges, or contain several holes in the blade.
Critics argue that this definition leaves room for other weapons that are shorter in length or lack some of the specified characteristics to evade the ban. They claim that the legislation does not go far enough in curbing the availability and use of these deadly weapons.
While the Home Office states that the new legislation aims to close the technicality that allowed retailers to sell zombie knives without the previously banned intimidating images or violent slogans, critics argue that the definition remains too loose. The Times reported finding a 2ft-long ‘bolo machete’ available for purchase online, which would technically be legal to own under the new legislation despite its lethal nature.
However, the new powers accompanying the legislation will allow the police to seize and destroy knives found on private premises if they suspect the blades will be used in criminal activities. This marks a significant change, as the police previously lacked this capability.
Additionally, the government is seeking to toughen the penalties for possessing banned weapons by increasing the maximum sentence from six months to two years.
The new rules on knives and machetes will come into effect from September, despite calls for them to be implemented sooner.
The Conservative Party claims that knife crime has decreased by five percent since 2019, and hospital admissions for those under the age of 25 have fallen by a quarter in the same time period.
Idris Elba, a renowned actor, has been pressuring the government to take action against knives and machetes through his Don’t Stop Your Future campaign. While Elba welcomed the new ban as a step in the right direction, he highlighted certain gaps in the legislation, such as the failure to ban all knives, including swords.
Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that the purpose of the ban is to prevent dangerous knives from ending up on the streets and in the hands of criminals. Cleverly also emphasized the importance of keeping these weapons out of the reach of children and providing young people with alternatives to violence. The government plans to continue investing in youth services that have effectively prevented numerous violent injuries.
In response to the rising concerns about knife crime, the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, unveiled Labour’s own plan to tackle the issue. Labour aims to involve parents in addressing the problem by urging them to intervene if they discover their children carrying blades. The party proposes replacing apology letters given to offenders with tailor-made action plans aimed at preventing reoffending.
The battle against knife crime continues as the government strives to implement new legislation and address the concerns raised by critics. While some argue that the ban falls short, others believe it marks a significant step in the right direction. Whether the new measures will have a substantial impact on reducing knife-related incidents remains to be seen.
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