MP’s shock as killer knives are sold online at knock-down prices with ‘flimsy’ age checks on who buys them
KILLER knives are being sold online two years after the Government ordered a crackdown, an MP found.
Terrifying blades can be had for as little as £15 with “flimsy” checks on who buys them.
Former policing minister Sir Mike Penning tested restrictions which insist buyers must be over 18 and collect their order from an address such as a retailer’s shop.
He did so after being bombarded with adverts for vicious knives while ordering fishing tackle on Amazon.
Sir Mike, 62, bought two hunting knives for £36 and a 14-inch kukri machete direct from the supplier for £20 using a flier that came with his fishing gear.
The parcel was delivered to the Hemel Hempstead MP’s constituency office with no request for a signature or proof of ID from the young assistant who received it.
Sir Mike said he lied about his age to make his internet purchase.
He said: “It was as easy as doing the weekly food shop. The only restriction is whether you have the money.”
He is writing to Home Secretary Priti Patel asking her to look into improving existing safeguards.
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Amazon said it took its knife sale responsibilities seriously and complied with legal requirements.
The machete firm boss said electoral roll checks showed Sir Mike was over 18.
Cops recorded 43,516 knife crime offences in the year to last March — an 80 per cent jump in five years.
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