Express & Star petition for knife sale ban backed by thousands of readers
More than 2,000 people have now backed a campaign by the Express & Star calling for a ban on the sales of deadly knives.
A surge of support has come in for the online petition after it was shared by various social media channels around the country this week.
It calls on Home Secretary Sajid Javid to review legislation regarding the sales of knives, swords, machetes and other weapons.
The campaign, with upwards of 2,000 signatures last night, was launched in the wake of an investigation by this title into the sale of weapons.
We found lethal weapons, including a ‘long reach’ machete, can be purchased from shops in the Black Country with only an ID.
An address is asked for at the point of purchase, but not checked against a utility bill or driver’s licence.
The campaign has been backed by political leaders in the region, including Wolverhampton council leader Roger Lawrence and his counterpart in Dudley, Patrick Harley.
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden and Dudley North MP Ian Austin have also given their support.
Violent crime across the region is up 30 per cent in the last nine years, according to the Home Office, with an 11 per cent rise in the last year. And eight people have already been stabbed to death in the West Midlands this year.
Ten types of weapons are currently banned, but retailers are finding loopholes in the current legislation.
Commenting on the Express & Star Facebook page, Cheryl Jones said: “These weapons are the ones they are using so ban them.
“Why does anyone need a zombie blade?” she added.
