I am deeply concerned about how alarmingly common knife crimes have become, with machete fights happening in broad daylight and horrifying incidents like the recent mass stabbing of children in Southport. As a society, we need to address this head-on and reform the laws on carrying knives.

To tackle this issue, it is crucial to alter the existing legislation, treating knife possession without a valid reason on par with illegal firearm charges. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that knife crime in England and Wales has reached a record high in the last year, with 45,627 offences in 2019/20. This figure marks a 6% increase from the previous year (Source: ONS).

All too often, we hear distressing news about people, especially young individuals, who are victims of these violent crimes. Knives have become the weapon of choice in violent deeds, and the repercussions can be life-altering, if not fatal. It is high time that carrying a knife without a valid reason is viewed with the same severity as possessing an illegal firearm.

By implementing stricter laws, we can deter potential offenders, empower law enforcement agencies, and provide a safer environment for our communities. We all have a role to play in safeguarding our society, and rectifying the legislation around knife possession is a significant step. Please lend your support to this vital campaign. Declare it is high time to change, and sign this petition.

I see lots of people viewing this petition and not signing it, do people not want tougher laws for knives and knife crime?