Every day in various parts of the UK, numerous parents bid farewell to their children at the doorstep, never anticipating it could be the final time they embrace them goodbye.
Tragically, many families have experienced the devastation of losing a loved one to knife-related violence. Pooja Kanda, a resilient mother who endured such a loss, stands out as a remarkably strong individual I have had the privilege to collaborate with.
Her son, Ronan, was only 16 years old when he fell victim to a fatal attack in 2022 involving a ninja sword due to mistaken identity. A senseless act that claimed the life of an innocent teenager on his way home, struck down by a lethal weapon acquired online with no lawful purpose other than inflicting harm and retrieved from a local Post Office.
Since that fateful incident, Pooja and her family have demonstrated exceptional bravery in advocating for the prohibition of such weapons and raising awareness about the risks associated with carrying knives.
The memory of Ronan deserves nothing less than our steadfast dedication to fostering communities where every child can safely walk home. Reducing knife crime by half stands as a primary objective of this administration, and from the outset, we have taken swift action.
Today marks the official prohibition of ninja swords, marking the initial phase of ‘Ronan’s Law’ as outlined in our manifesto. As part of our Strategy for Transformation, individuals found possessing, making, importing, or selling ninja swords will now be subject to a maximum of six months imprisonment.
Furthermore, our Crime and Policing Bill will elevate the punishment for unlawful weapon possession to a potential two-year prison sentence. Prior to the ban implementation, individuals were encouraged to surrender their ninja swords and other dangerous weapons, resulting in over 1,000 weapons being relinquished within a month.
The ease with which Ronan’s assailant obtained such a weapon underscores the alarming accessibility of these blades. This realization has prompted us to introduce the most stringent measures to date to combat the online sale of weapons.
Retailers will be required to report suspicious knife transactions to law enforcement, implement more robust age-verification protocols, and online platform executives failing to prevent illicit sales will face substantial penalties. I extend my gratitude to Pooja, her family, and all those involved in the coalition against knife crime for tirelessly advocating to end such violence.
Their voices and experiences will be instrumental in driving tangible change and ensuring our children can safely return home each day.
