Crewe MP welcomes new knife crackdown following recent incidents in town
The Crewe and Nantwich MP has welcomed the Government's announcement of a new ban on Zombie-style knives and machetes, giving police greater powers to seize knives.
On Wednesday 30 August, the Government said measures first proposed in April will be legislated on, when parliament allows - much to the delight of Dr Kieran Mullan.
This comes just a short time after a stabbing incident on Crewe's Brookhouse estate this August, as well as other knife crimes.
The new government ban will maximum sentence increased from six months to two years for those importing, manufacturing, selling, and possessing these weapons.
This comes alongside a new offence for possession of a bladed article with the intention to endanger life or to cause fear of violence.
Reacting to the announcement, Dr Mullan told Nub News: "This crackdown will limit the possession and sale of these dangerous weapons and will hopefully curb incidents like the one seen recently in Crewe, where a 44-year-old man was stabbed on the street.
"These knives endanger the lives of ordinary people in towns and cities throughout the country, and I welcome the introduction of tougher sentences and bans."
"This new ban comes a few months after the Knife Angel statue was in Crewe, as part of a national tour.
"The statue is made from over 100,000 seized blades and was specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour whilst solidifying our critical need for social change.
READ MORE: Armed police deployed to West End following reports of man with knife.
"This Angel acts as a representation of the harm that violent and aggressive behaviour can cause, but it is also a beautiful memorial to those who have tragically lost their lives to these thoughtless acts.
"I had the privilege of attending the closing ceremony for this wonderful installation."
The Home Office will ask the sentencing council to consider amending sentencing guidelines of bladed articles to further deter those carrying knives and distinguish them from weapons without a blade.
It has stated these new measures include a definition making illegal any bladed weapon more than eight inches long with a plain-cutting edge and sharp pointed end, that also has a serrated edge or more than one hole in the blade.
The possession of zombie knives was made illegal in 2016; however, these new measures hope to close a loophole which allowed knives of a similar style to be sold.
Dr Mullan added: "Zombie-styles knives and machetes have no purpose in the hands of anybody on the street.
"They make the risk of serious harm or death increase exponentially when they are in the hands of criminal gangs and thugs.
"There is no place for these weapons."
READ MORE: Fitness charity to provide FREE self-testing blood pressure machines in Crewe.
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