Bereaved Norfolk mum calls for stronger action on knife crime
Over 80% of young people aren't convinced plans to make knives harder to buy will reduce crime- says fresh research
Last updated 24th May 2025
A bereaved mum in Norfolk who's son was stabbed to death in Ipswich says stronger action is needed to clampdown on knife crime.
Over 80% of young people aren't convinced plans to make knives harder to buy will reduce crime- says fresh research.
"If we're not careful, knife crime is going to get worse"
Margaret Oakes lives in North Walsham. Her son James was killed in 2023:
"A lot of people will continue to sell these knives or dangerous blades, until measures are put in place to ensure that all knives are removed from our streets. After all, there's not one type of knife that commit these crimes".
"What are young people learning from what the Government's doing? Nothing or that it's okay to carry on what they were doing before.
"If we're not careful, knife crime is going to get worse and this is going to devastate young people and their families".
What's the Government doing to tackle knife crime?
On 9 September 2024, The Prime Minister launched a new coalition, of campaigners and bereaved families, to tackle knife crime and stop young people being dragged into violent gangs
The Home Office has put measures in place so retailers report bulk or suspicious sales to police.
The Government's also increased jail sentences to two years for selling weapons to children, or illegal blades such as zombie knives.
Technology companies and individual executives are also facing being collectively fined up to ÂŁ70,000 each time a post relating to knife crime is not removed from their sites.
So-called 'Zombie Knives' were made illegal in September 2024.
The same ban is coming into force for ninja swords by the summer.
This means will be illegal to possess, sell, make or import the weapon from August 1.
The Home Office says their work to tackle this crime, will see it halved within a decade.
This survey in more detail:
A survey of 1,030 people in the UK aged 16-24 also found that 46% said either they or someone they knew had been directly affected by the issue.
Some 83% of those questioned said that, despite legislation aimed at making purchasing knives more difficult, they believed young people would find alternative ways to buy them.
While 72% said the law focused on the symptoms rather than the causes of knife crime.
To address knife crime, 76% of those questioned called for greater investment in local mental health services, sport and social clubs, while 77% wanted greater employment opportunities.
A review commissioned by the Home Office, published in February, found the lowest price offered by online retailers for a machete of more than 10 inches was ÂŁ7.13, with most ranging between ÂŁ20 and ÂŁ40.
The report also looked at the "grey market", where blades are bought in bulk and resold illegally on social media or face to face.