Hermon: Reform Knife Laws
Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon has, whilst giving firm support to the knife amnesty, called for the Government to look again at reforming anti-knife laws. Speaking from her Bangor constituency office, she said:
“It’s amazing that a Government which has made such a song and dance of re-balancing the scales of justice in favour of victims has just missed the opportunity to significantly reform knife laws.
Knives are incredibly dangerous items, and so even if only a small number of them are given up during the amnesty period that is still to be welcomed. But what is irritating and extremely disappointing is a shorter amnesty in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the United Kingdom, and I’ll certainly be pressing the NIO for its extension.”
The North Down MP continued:
“Nevertheless, the amnesty period should focus minds on law reform in this area. It’s not enough simply to announce increases to maximum sentences for knife crime when the public know maximum sentences are rarely imposed. What we need is a system based on strict liability for carrying knives in public, with exceptions for those licensed to hold them for work purposes. People will only stop carrying knives, if they genuinely fear conviction.”