Idris Elba, the star of Luther, is urging the government to take immediate action against the sale of “zombie knives” and machetes to prevent more young people from losing their lives. Speaking to the BBC, Elba stated that the proposed law changes should be fast-tracked, criticising politicians for not giving enough attention to the issue. In response to the calls from campaigners, the government has stated that it remains committed to introducing further intervention measures against knife crime.
Zombie knives are defined as having a cutting edge, a serrated edge, and “images or words suggesting they are used for violence”. Although they were added to the list of prohibited offensive weapons in 2016, a loophole that allows their sale online is still being exploited. A ban on zombie-style knives was announced by Rishi Sunak last August, but it is not clear when the new law will be implemented. The new law is also designed to help police deal with situations that are not covered by the current rules.
Organisers hope that bundles of clothing representing the victims of knife crime displayed in London’s Parliament Square on Monday will provide a visual demonstration of the human cost of knife crime and raise awareness among MPs. Elba’s “Don’t Stop Your Future” campaign, which aims to tackle serious violence, is behind the event. Elba, who is himself releasing a single called “Knives Down” in support of the campaign, has said he wants more funding for groups working with young people.
Yemi Hughes, whose 19-year-old son Andre Aderemi was murdered in 2016, has donated the clothing her son was wearing when he was killed. Speaking to the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme, she expressed her frustration at the continuing prevalence of knife crime, urging the authorities to tackle the root causes of the problem and eradicate them immediately. Hughes praised Elba’s campaign and gave it her full support.
Patrick Green from the Ben Kinsella Trust has criticised the government’s response, arguing that legislation to ban zombie knives and machetes is required urgently. Green called on the government to give priority to the introduction of the ban in Parliament. In response, a government spokesperson pledged the administration’s commitment to undertake further intervention measures, including giving new powers to police to seize, retain and destroy knives associated with unlawful violence
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