January 26th 2025.
The recent stabbing attack in Southport, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three young girls, has prompted the government to take action in preventing under-18s from purchasing knives online. In response, new rules have been announced that will require stricter age checks for anyone buying a knife over the internet. The government hopes that these measures will help prevent future tragedies like the one that occurred last year.
According to the new rules, buyers will now have to provide official photo ID and proof of address at the time of purchase. This information will also need to be presented again upon delivery. These measures come just days after Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time, was sentenced to a minimum of 53 years in prison for the murder of the three girls and the injury of several others. It was discovered that Rudakubana had purchased the knife used in the attack from Amazon.
Official ID, such as a driver's license or passport, will be accepted, as well as proof of address through utility bills or bank statements. Some retailers may even ask for a current photo or video of the buyer, as per the Home Office's suggestion. In addition, companies will only be allowed to deliver knives to the person who made the purchase, and it will be illegal to leave a package containing a bladed item on a doorstep if no one is home.
The need for these stricter measures was highlighted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who acknowledged that it was far too easy for individuals like Rudakubana to obtain weapons. Amazon, the retailer from which Rudakubana purchased the knife, stated that they use trusted ID verification services to validate the age of their customers. However, in light of this tragedy, they have launched an urgent investigation and are committed to taking their responsibility in the sale of knives very seriously.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her dismay at how easy it still is for children to access dangerous weapons online, citing the case of Ronan Kanda who was killed with a ninja sword purchased by a teenager. Cooper believes that stronger measures are necessary to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. She announced that the new rules will be part of the government's Plan for Change and their mission to make the streets safer.
In England and Wales, it is against the law to sell knives with a fixed blade longer than three inches to anyone under the age of 18. Retailers who violate this law could face fines or prosecution. Current legislation requires sellers to have an age verification system in place, but it does not specify what that system should be.
At Rudakubana's sentencing, it was revealed that he had taken steps to hide his identity when purchasing the knives, using a virtual private network to encrypt his personal data. This highlights the need for stronger ID checks when ordering age-restricted items online. Amazon has confirmed that they follow an age verification process for delivery as well, requiring drivers to verify the age of the recipient.
The Home Office has announced that these new measures will be included in the Crime and Policing Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament in the spring. This is just the beginning, as more proposals are expected in the coming weeks. Last year, Commander Stephen Clayman was commissioned to conduct a review of the online sale and delivery of knives, and his full report is due at the end of January. Stronger ID checks are just one of the recommendations that are expected to be implemented in the near future.
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