Ipswich anti-knife crime campaigner says zombie knife ban won't tackle the issue
The ban on zombie knives and machetes officially comes into force tomorrow
A man from Suffolk whose brother was stabbed to death is welcoming a ban on zombie knives and machetes, but says it's not enough to tackle the issue.
From tomorrow, it will be illegal to own them, with a month long knife amnesty wrapping up today, but Paul Stansby, who set up the Be Lucky Anti-Knife Crime Foundation after his brother Deano died after he was stabbed in Ipswich back in 2017, isn't convinced it'll solve the issue:
"You have to enforce serious consequences from day one, not cautions, not 'this is what happens if it's a third strike' - there needs to be something that's going to protect our youth so we can see them grow into men and women."
After 24th September, anyone caught with a zombie-style knife or a machete faces time behind bars, as part of the government’s pledge to halve knife crime in a decade.
The government's next steps include further bans, stronger rules to stop online sales, and tough action to stop young people from being drawn into crime.
However, Paul still wants more done: "The law needs to state that any particular knife outside of the home, that's not for cooking purposes or camping or leisure, needs to be enforced with serious consequences."
He also believes knives should be registered to the person who has bought it: "If you were to buy a gun in America it would be coded and registered to you as a person - and then what happens is, if that weapon has been found on somebody else or it hasn't been reported stolen if it is stolen, the owner, who bought the knife, should be held liable for it."
What does the Government say?
Policing Minister, Diana Johnson said:
"Too many people have access to weapons that can lead to devastating, life-changing consequences. There is no legitimate need for a weapon of this kind to be in our homes or on our streets.
"That is why we will continue to make sure the tightest restrictions are in place to limit the availability of these lethal weapons. Implementing a ban on zombie-style knives is just the first step in our ambitious, dedicated plan to halve knife crime within a decade, and will closely be followed by making ninja swords illegal.
"It is absolutely crucial that members of the public come forward and safely hand in these weapons. We are offering people the chance to do the right thing – to help make our streets safer, prevent further loss of life and save so many futures.
"We cannot do this alone, political, policing and community leaders must work together to bring the knife crime epidemic to an end and offer a better future for our young people."