Teenager’s Sister Expresses Disappointment Over Continued Online Sale of Banned Zombie Knives

The sibling of a teenager who was fatally stabbed close to his residence has voiced “extreme disappointment” upon discovering that prohibited zombie knives remain purchasable via online platforms. This revelation comes after BBC News successfully acquired four such knives from online retailers operating with UK-based websites, notwithstanding the prohibition implemented in England and Wales in September. Nikita Kanda’s 16-year-old brother, Ronan, was killed in Wolverhampton in June 2022 due to a case of mistaken identity, prompting his family to advocate against the online sale of knives. Ms. Kanda stated that “something had gone wrong” if weapons designed solely to inflict harm could still be acquired with such ease. Ms. Kanda, alongside her mother, is leading a campaign addressing knife crime, advocating for a prohibition on the sale of ninja swords—the type of weapon used in Ronan’s killing, which his assailants purchased online along with a machete. These items were collected from a local post office merely hours prior to the assault. The government is currently reviewing a ban on such swords as part of a new consultation released on Wednesday. This consultation also proposes fines for senior social media executives who do not remove illegal content related to knife crime. Ms. Kanda expressed her bewilderment, stating, “I don’t understand how they [zombie-style knives] can be bought if they are banned.” She added, “It’s extremely disappointing. They’re not meant to be less available, we want no availability at all.” Emphasizing their inherent danger, she concluded, “These weapons have no other purpose than to kill or cause harm to someone.” BBC News initiated orders through the UK-based websites of four distinct online retailers, with three of these successfully supplying the knives. Officially, zombie-style knives are characterized as blades exceeding eight inches (20.32cm) in length, featuring a sharp point and a plain cutting edge, in addition to either a serrated edge, multiple holes in the blade, spikes, or more than two sharp points. The Offensive Weapons Act, enacted on 24 September, established that owning, manufacturing, transporting, or selling a broad array of “statement” knives, frequently preferred by criminal organizations, constitutes an imprisonable offense. Nikita Kanda asserted that online knife sales evidently require significantly greater oversight if they remain accessible for purchase, expressing her hope for government intervention. The Home Office confirmed it is conducting a “rapid review” concerning the online sale of knives. Ms. Kanda and her mother, while endorsing the ban, also emphasized their conviction that mandatory education in schools and prompt intervention for minor offenses are crucial elements in preventing stabbings. On Thursday, they visited Ronan’s former primary school to speak with students regarding the perils associated with involvement in knife crime. For further updates, follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.