Call for rethink on knife sales

AN UPPER Bann MP has supported calls at the House of Commons for eBay to reverse its decision to relax restrictions on the type of knives that it sells.

The DUP’s David Simpson described the decision as regressive and worrying.

He said: “Knife crime continues to be a major blight upon society.

“Throughout the UK there are 100 knife crimes recorded daily. Police statistics show that across Northern Ireland over 30% of homicides, over 25% of attempted murders and just under 20% of robberies involved the use of knives.

“No part of the Northern Ireland is immune from that. Here in this police division there were over 380 knife crimes in the last three years.”

He went on: “I have dealt with constituents from Lurgan and right across the constituency who have been alerted to young people carrying knives which it was claimed was for their own protection.

“Some young people say that they carry a knife for protection or to make them feel safer, even though they wouldn’t think of using it. However, research shows that such a young person is actually more likely to become a victim of crime if they are carrying a knife.

“This decision on the part of eBay is, I believe a regressive and worrying move.

“I felt it was important to add my voice to calls urging it to think again.”