Campbell calls for tougher legislation to tackle knife crime

Mr Campbell said: “The two fatal stabbings last weekend have highlighted the need to introduce additional measures to help reduce knife crime.

“There appears to be an increase of incidents where knifes are the lethal weapon used in this type of murderous activity. The recent stabbing is a reminder of the murder of a Coleraine pensioner in my own constituency nine years ago by a man wielding a knife and as yet no one has been made amenable for this crime.”

Mr Campbell was referring to the stabbing and murder of local man Norman Moffatt.

He added: “Prior to the devolution of Policing and Justice, I had written to Direct Rule Ministers regarding introducing measures to reduce the level of crime. Improvements to legislation were introduced such as the raising of the minimum age limit for purchasing knife to 18 and increased penalties for possessing a knife in public.

“As a result of the ongoing level of incidents where persons are using a knife to commit murder I have asked the Justice Minister David Ford if he will consider additional measures regarding ownership of a knife or similar such weapons in order to deter this type of murderous activity.”