Small Knives Pose Significant Threat, Say Anti-Knife Crime Campaigners

The sister of a man who died after being stabbed with a three-inch kitchen knife stated, “It doesn’t have to be a massive knife to take somebody’s life.” Jordan Turner and her friend Danyelle King established the campaign “Change Lives – No To Knives” to provide mentorship for teenagers in Swindon. This initiative followed the death of Ms Turner’s brother, Lee, in 2021, who succumbed to a single stab wound to the chest. The two individuals indicated that while they support the government’s prohibition on zombie and machete knives, they are concerned this measure might be insufficient to curb knife crime. Ms Turner commented, “Lee was stabbed with a kitchen knife.” She added, “I’m all for the zombie and machete ban but it’s not going to stop knife crime because they’re so accessible.” Lee, Ms Turner’s 33-year-old brother, was fatally stabbed by a 17-year-old assailant using a small kitchen knife. In 2023, Ms Turner, alongside her best friend Danyelle, founded “Change Lives – No to Knives” with the dual aim of preserving Lee’s legacy and informing children about the consequences of knife crime. A ban on “zombie-style knives” and “zombie-style machetes” was implemented in England and Wales in September, rendering it an imprisonable offense to possess, manufacture, transport, or sell various “statement” knives commonly used by criminal organizations. Nevertheless, a recent inquiry by the BBC revealed that the larger, prohibited knives remain available for purchase online. Danyelle King, a co-founder of “Change Lives – No to Knives,” stated that small knives are readily available for children to purchase online. She recounted an experiment where she successfully acquired three knives for under £10 without needing to provide age verification. King elaborated, “You can give your child £5 for lunch.” She continued, “With £3.60 out of that they can buy a knife online. They’re not asked for any form of ID.” She added, “They can send that to any address and they’re not asked to show ID when they’re collecting that from the delivery man.” King concluded, “That is just increasing youth violence and that’s influencing mindsets to purchase knives.” In the United Kingdom, selling knives to individuals under 18 years old is prohibited by law, with an exception for folding pocket knives featuring blades shorter than three inches. Ms Turner expressed, “Buying things like this is absolutely heart-breaking because it doesn’t have to be a massive knife.” She further stated, “It doesn’t have to be a zombie or a machete to take somebody’s life. Something just as simple and as little as them knives there will do a lot of damage.” When he died, Lee had recently been released from prison and was in possession of a knife. Ms Turner and Ms King are endeavoring to inform young individuals about the hazards associated with carrying knives. They were recently contacted by a school concerned about a vulnerable student. Ms Turner recounted, “We went to the school and found a knife wrapped in his school uniform jumper in a bush.” She added, “He seems to carry it for protection. I believe he’s being bullied and he is in Year 7, so he’s 12 years old.” She concluded, “We’re never going to be able to stop knife crime but if I can do everything in my power to prevent and reduce it, that’s my aim.” Ms King stated that she and Ms Turner are diligently working to instruct vulnerable young people on alternative methods of self-protection. Ms King remarked, “Whether that’s kickboxing [or] martial arts – there are other ways.” She emphasized, “But someone that’s vulnerable carrying a knife, they don’t know that unless you educate them.” Concurrently with their campaign, the government has pledged action, forming a coalition against knife crime, which features actor Idris Elba, and vowing to reinforce legislation concerning the online sale of knives. For further updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites and provides information on its approach to external linking.