Clampdown on booze, knives and replica guns
Problem drinking, knives and the growing problem of replica firearms are at the centre of the Government’s new Violent Crime Reduction Bill.
The bill would make it illegal to manufacture or sell imitation firearms that could be mistaken for real firearms and introduce tougher manufacturing restrictions to prevent imitation arms from being converted to live firing.
Law enforcement agencies have become increasingly concerned about the growth in replica weapons, many of which are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, and some which can be easily converted to fire real bullets.
Figures show that violent incidents involving replica or imitation guns increased by 66 per cent last year.
Knives will also be targeted by the bill, with the minimum age for buying a knife raised to 18. Knives remain the most commonly used weapon in assaults and other types of violent crime.
Reducing crime, especially violent crime, is one of the key targets for the Government during its third term in office.
As well as knives and replica guns, the bill will also include new powers to shut down pubs and clubs for 24 hours if they sell alcohol to underage customers. There will also be powers for the police to ban those responsible for alcohol-related violence from specific areas for up to two years.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: “There is increasing public concern around relatively low level crime and anti-social behaviour escalating to more serious offences because people are under the influence of alcohol or carrying weapons.
“Outlawing the manufacture and sale of imitation firearms, clamping down on binge and underage drinking and ensuring knives are less accessible will help to tackle this.”
The bill would also give teachers the power to search pupils for knives. Chris Keates, general secretary of the teaching union the NASUWT, said that the union welcomed the increased powers in the bill, but said it would be counterproductive for teachers to carry out such searches themselves.
Ms Keates said: “Random searches should be one of a menu of options from which headteachers can choose to improve security and behaviour in schools.
“They should be able to commission the searches from the police, not conduct them themselves.”
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said that they would support the proposals on tackling alcohol abuse and restrictions on replica weapons, but was less convinced by the proposals on knives.
Mr Oaten said: “It is difficult to see how the proposed age limit for knives can work. The bill will land us in the ridiculous situation where a 16- and a 17-year old can get married and set up home on their own, but can’t buy a kitchen knife.”
