What are the UK's knife crime laws - and how could they be tightened?
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It's illegal in the UK to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18, but there are fears there are cracks in the system. The Southport killings have shone a light once again on the danger of knives in the wrong hands, and the government says it will take steps to limit who has access to them.
Official figures show knife crime rose by 7% in the year to December 2023. Who can buy a knife in the UK?. In the UK it's generally illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18. An exception is made for folding pocketknives with a cutting edge no longer than three inches (7.62cm) that don't lock.
In Scotland, you're allowed to sell 16 and 17 year olds cutlery and kitchen knives. Boy, 12, stabbed to death in Birmingham - as 14-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder. Arsenal stars to wear white kit for 'No More Red' knife crime campaign. Boy, 17, stabbed to death at Bedford bus station.
A number of bladed items - such as butterfly knives, flick knives and zombie knives - are illegal to possess no matter how old you are. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Do you need ID to buy a knife in-store or online?. While ID is needed to buy knives in store, it's a bit different when buying them online.
Take Amazon, for instance. When we attempted to buy a knife from the online retailer we were prompted to enter a date of birth at checkout, as well as the legal name from a piece of ID. The website informs the buyer that you have to be "18+ years old to buy this item" and "proof of age and a signature will be required on delivery".
