Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged stricter measures to regulate the sale of knives online as the nation grapples with escalating knife crime. His comments come in the wake of a tragic incident where a 12-year-old boy became the latest victim, reigniting calls for urgent action to address the crisis.
Starmer highlighted the dangers of unregulated online platforms, emphasizing the ease with which young individuals can access dangerous weapons. “We need robust laws to prevent these tragedies and hold online retailers accountable for enabling such sales,” he stated.
The proposed crackdown aims to close loopholes allowing underage or unverified purchases, along with implementing stricter age-verification protocols and banning the shipment of certain types of knives directly to residential addresses. These measures are part of Labour’s broader campaign to combat youth violence and enhance public safety.
The alarming rise in knife-related fatalities has put significant pressure on both the government and opposition to deliver concrete solutions. Advocacy groups have welcomed Starmer’s stance, urging swift parliamentary action to tackle the root causes of knife crime in the UK.
