February 19th 2025.
The recent passing of a new law has brought about additional pressure for those selling knives. This law, named after a 16-year-old boy who lost his life due to a mistaken identity, will now require online retailers to report any bulk purchases of knives. This news first broke before the election last year, with Metro being the first to reveal that Labour had plans to introduce Ronan's Law if they were to form the next government. The aim of this law is to make it more difficult for dangerous criminals to acquire knives through online channels, as well as to increase the penalties for those who illegally sell weapons to minors.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her concerns about the ease with which young people can access knives online, calling it "horrifying". She further stated that not enough has been done in the past to address this issue, which is why it was made a top priority in their manifesto. The measures put in place through this law will be supported by the creation of a dedicated police unit, specifically aimed at identifying and pursuing those who are breaking the law and putting the lives of children and teenagers at risk.
The passing of this law was also a way for the government to honor their commitment to Ronan Kanda, who tragically lost his life in 2022. Cooper expressed her gratitude to the Kanda family for their perseverance in pushing for necessary actions to protect young people from further tragedies. But what exactly happened to Ronan Kanda?
Ronan was described as a kind-hearted and loving teenager who was attacked on the streets of his hometown Wolverhampton on June 29, 2022. He was not the intended victim of the attack, and it happened just yards away from his home. Ronan had been walking back from his friend's house after purchasing a Playstation controller when he was targeted by Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, both 17. They mistook Ronan for someone else and proceeded to follow him and stab him twice with a "vicious" Ninja knife that Veadhesa had purchased online.
Upon realizing their mistake, both attackers fled the scene and disposed of the weapons and clothing they had been wearing. In 2023, Veadhesa was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison, while Shergill received a minimum of 16 years. During the trial, Ronan's mother Pooja Kanda was shown a Ninja sword and over 25 other bladed items that were used in the attack on her son. She expressed her despair, saying that it was clear her son never stood a chance.
It was revealed that the weapons used in the attack had been illegally purchased online and collected from the Post Office on the day of the attack without any age or identity verification taking place. This realization prompted Pooja and her daughter Nikita to campaign for stricter restrictions on knife sales. Pooja emphasized the importance of proper ID checks by sellers, as well as by postal and delivery services. She also stated that these new measures, a part of Ronan's Law, will provide much-needed barriers against knife crime, and she wishes they had been implemented earlier so that her son could still be with her today.
In addition to the changes mentioned above, a new offense of possessing an offensive weapon with intent for violence will be introduced, carrying a prison sentence of up to four years. Last year, the government also warned those in possession of "zombie-style" knives and machetes to surrender them or face jail time. These weapons have now been added to the list of dangerous prohibited items, and their sale or supply will be met with the same increased sentence as sales to minors.
All of these measures will be included in the Crime and Policing Bill, set to be introduced in the spring. Commander Stephen Clayman, who conducted a review for the government, stated that his findings show how simple it is for anyone to purchase a knife online without any age verification. He stressed the importance of limiting the accessibility of knives and restricting their availability and routes to purchase, as knife crime has devastating consequences for individuals and families.
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