West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson took his campaign against the sale of ‘zombie knives’ to the heart of government and held a productive meeting at the Home Office.
Home Office Minister, Karen Bradley MP told Mr Jamieson she was impressed with his work in the West Midlands to reduce knife crime and said she shared his concerns about the brutal blades.
Following the meeting with the Commissioner, the Minister is now looking into how existing legislation can be used to crack down on the sale of ‘zombie knives’. She will also be writing to local councils and other PCCs around the country to warn of the dangers highlighted by Mr Jamieson.
The PCC also held a meeting with Shadow Policing Minister, Jack Dromey MP, who said he was going to start work in Parliament towards a total ban of sale on ‘zombie knives’ in the UK.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “Both meetings were very productive and there is cross-party support for my campaign against the sale of these brutal weapons, which have no other purpose than intimidation and harm.
“The Minister is now going to look what can be done to toughen up existing laws and I thank her for her time and kind words about the good work we’re doing here in the West Midlands.
“I’d also like to thank Jack Dromey for his hard work and passion on this issue. Together, I believe we can achieve real change and make our streets safer.
“‘Zombie knives’ have no practical purpose whatsoever and with names like Head Splitter and Apocalypse Head Decapitator, no sensible person wants to see them in general circulation.
“They are becoming more common on the streets of London and we are now seeing that worrying trend replicated here in the West Midlands: a ‘zombie knife’ was recovered in south Birmingham only this week. The weapons are being used by gang members as status symbols and I want to stamp them out before a serious crime is committed on our doorstep.
“We have had very productive meetings and obtained cross party support but I will keep pressing until we get a ban on the sale of these brutal weapons.”
Jack Dromey MP added: “Work in Parliament will start on Monday calling for urgent action to ban this growing menace. These are evil weapons and there is no justification in owning a knife that has the sole purpose of beheading someone.”
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