Over the past decade, UK police have seized or recovered tens of thousands of knives, highlighting a long-standing issue. In fact, during the twelve months leading up to March 2024 alone, nearly 50,000 knife-related offences were recorded in England and Wales, showing that tackling bladed weapons remains a national priority.

Since taking office in July 2024, Keir Starmer’s government has introduced a series of reforms to tighten access to bladed weapons, as knife crime is seen as a national crisis. “Zombie-style” knives and hunting blades longer than twenty centimeters were banned as early as September 2024.

Following the Southport tragedy, where a teenager killed three girls with a knife purchased online, stricter rules for internet sales were implemented. Buyers must now provide official photo ID and proof of address, and show their ID again upon delivery. It is also illegal to leave a package containing a bladed item on a doorstep without identity verification. Moreover, some retailers are considering live video checks to confirm age.

These measures are part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill and the government’s “Plan for Change” to make streets safer.