What are the UK's knife crime laws - and how could they be tightened?

22 January 2025, 10:04 | Updated: 22 January 2025, 15:02

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.

A number of bladed items - such as butterfly knives, flick knives and zombie knives - are illegal to possess no matter how old you are.

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".

However, there have been suggestions that this system is not foolproof. Indeed, it came to light after the Southport killings that the attacker purchased the knife he used from Amazon when he was 17.

Amazon has insisted that it takes "responsibility around the sale of all age-restricted items - including bladed products - extremely seriously" and has launched an investigation following the Southport attack.

Some supermarkets, including Tesco and Asda, do not sell knives online.

What did Sir Keir Starmer say?

The prime minister took a stern line on the issue in an opinion piece published in The Sun newspaper.

He said it "remains shockingly easy for our children to get their hands on deadly knives".

"The technology is there to set up age-verification checks, even for kitchen knives ordered online. We must now use it to protect our children from future attack and I will ensure that this happens."

Read more:
Plans for two types of ID to buy knives online
Southport murders: Missed opportunities
Family of Southport attacker 'moved to secret location'

Is the law going to change?

Under new government plans in the wake of the Southport attack, people buying knives online will be asked for two types of identification.

The government is proposing buyers will be asked to record a live video and submit an identity document, such as a passport, to prove their age.

Stronger ID checks were suggested in a review of online knife sales by Commander Stephen Clayman, the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead for knife crime.

(c) Sky News 2025: What are the UK's knife crime laws - and how could they be tightened?