Social media executives set to face sanctions for failing to curb knife content

In a Government consultation paper that has just been published, proposals outlined include affording the police service the power to issue notices to senior executives of online companies ordering them to remove specific pieces of content, potentially within two days. If the company fails to act on this, the police will send a second notice to the senior executive in that company, who would then be personally liable for a significant fine if they too fail to act.

This is the latest development that forms part of the Government’s pledge to halve knife crime over the next decade.

The Government is also progressing its commitment to ban ninja swords following a determined campaign by Pooja Kanda, the mother of Ronan Kanda who was tragically killed in 2022. The Government has now published a further consultation document to finalise the description of this deadly weapon as the first step towards bringing forward the change in legislation.

After a sharp rise in robberies at knifepoint, which is driving the steep increase in knife crime nationally, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper recently chaired the first meeting of a dedicated new Task Force wholly focused on rapid action designed to curb this trend. A nationwide policing effort has been underway, itself co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, whereby forces are targeting robbery ‘hotspots’ to prevent violent crime.

Knife crime epidemic  

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The epidemic of knife crime that has grown over the last decade is devastating families and communities right across the country. That’s why this Government has set out an unprecedented mission to halve knife crime over the next decade, We’re taking determined action to remove lethal blades from Britain’s streets.”

Cooper continued: “That means tough new sanctions for technology executives who fail to tackle illegal knife sales on their platforms, as well as a comprehensive ban on ninja swords. These announcements follow the tireless campaigning of Pooja Kanda, whose son Ronan was killed in 2022 after his teenage killer unlawfully obtained a ninja sword online. Those who enable or perpetrate these crimes must face the full force of the law.”

Pooja Kanda responded: “I’m very relieved that the Government has kept its promise to proactively ban ninja swords and protect others from having the same fate as my son. I would urge everyone to complete the consultation and share it so we can have a safer future.”

Additional measures

Commander Stephen Clayman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for knife crime, said: “For far too long now, deadly weapons have been easily accessible online, with content promoting their use for protection and combat rife on many platforms and, seemingly, little being done to remove it.”

Clayman noted: “We welcome the chance to take part in the consultation and explore the most effective means of tackling this issue, including use of the findings of the ongoing online sales review.”

Further, Clayman stated: “Policing continues to work hard to tackle the scourge of knife crime, but we cannot do this alone. The Government’s announcement will provide additional measures in the fight against tackling the supply of these weapons and support us in our mission to drive down knife crime and make our communities safer for everyone.”

Clayman is leading a review into the online sale of knives. Commissioned by the Home Secretary in September, the review will identify what more needs to be done to stop knives being sold illegally online. Clayman will report back to the Home Secretary by the end of January.