Easier for Children to Buy Knives Than Paracetamol, UK Police Find

A recent police review in the UK has revealed a shocking loophole in the country’s retail regulations: buying a knife is easier for children than purchasing paracetamol pills.

The findings come despite the British government’s crackdown on the sale of bladed weapons to under-18s as part of a series of new anti-knife measures.

There are alarming statistics regarding the issue: Over 50,000 knife-related crimes have been recorded in Britain this year alone. Additionally, a recent study found that nearly one in five secondary school teachers in England has witnessed students carrying knives in schools.

Authorities have identified online marketplaces as a major weak point, with many websites giving easy access to dangerous weapons despite existing restrictions. In response, the government is moving to introduce stricter prison sentences for those caught selling knives to minors. Retailers are now required to report suspicious purchases.

The new measures, named Ronan’s Law, honor the memory of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton in 2022 after being mistaken for someone else.