GMP: Taking cheap knives off websites is a 'continuing battle'

Greater Manchester Police have told us taking cheap knives off websites and apps is a 'continuing battle' for the force.

It's after our exclusive investigation uncovered a shocking number of children are carrying weapons into our schools.

More than 300 knife-related incidents were recorded by GMP between 2018 and 2021, which also suggest children as young six have been caught with a bladed weapon.

We've heard that some children are accessing cheap knives through websites and apps that 'glamourise' blades and make them accessible for young hands.

Inspector Paul Nolan from Greater Manchester Police, who works within the region's Violence Reduction Unit, says that's something they have been trying to tackle since late 2019.

"We're looking at how easy it is for a young person to get hold of a weapon on any kind of marketplace.

"They do start creeping back and that's a continuing battle - we're happy to work with any website to challenge that.

"The promise that we made in Greater Manchester is that if those weapons are found, we will knock on that door and we will pay a visit.

'99% of people will never carry a weapon'

Inspector Nolan has told us they're working around the clock to stop children and teenagers being able to access knives.

"We are looking for children that are buying weapons. Our promise is that if you've ordered a weapon online and that weapon has been seized - we will knock on your door and have a conversation.

"99% of people will never carry a weapon.

"We're trying to understand what perceptions are out there with children. It's always concerning, we do find children as young as 7 with weapons, and it's really important for us to find out why."

Finding support

If you are concerned or have any information about knife crime, you can report it online at www.gmp.police.uk or call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you would like to provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

Young people can give information 100% anonymously by contacting the charity Fearless at www.fearless.org.

They can also get involved in the I Am Greater campaign, which unites young people against violence by choosing to say ‘violence isn’t me … I am greater’. More details can be found here.