Countryside Alliance ensures the sales of knives online for legitimate rural practices

The Countryside Alliance was the first rural organisation to raise concerns about the impact the Home Office proposals to restrict online knife sales could have on rural communities. The Offensive Weapons Bill, published this week, recognises that those who require knives for legitimate rural practices will still be able to purchase knives online.

The Countryside Alliance agreed with the Home Office that action should be taken to ensure knives are not being sold online to under-18s. However, we were concerned any measures to address this must not disproportionately affect individuals or rural businesses where knives are essential tools.

We shared our concerns with the Minister when we met them last year and proposed several alternative actions, such as introducing online age verification, and improving training and guidance for people delivering knives before any changes in legislation were introduced.

The Government has clearly taken our concerns onboard, and the proposals contained in the Bill are a sensible way forward and will ensure that those who have a legitimate reason to purchase a knife online will still be able to do so.

Under the current proposals in the Bill:

• Online sellers would have to ensure a reasonable age verification; packaging would have to state that the parcel must not be delivered to a person under 18; and there would be a requirement for a delivery company to verify age. Where a delivery company delivers on behalf of an overseas seller, then they would commit an offence if they hand the parcel to someone under 18;


• Certain knives will be able to be delivered only to a business address. This will include farm premises;


• Hand crafted knives, sporting, religious and re-enactment knives are exempted; and


• There are further exemptions surrounding the possession of knives in educational establishments (eg catering or gamekeeping courses).

The Countryside Alliance recognises the problem of knife crime and fully supports efforts to reduce it, which must include tackling underage purchasing of knives. However, it is important that proposals to tackle knife crime are effective, without disproportionately affecting rural communities.

Head of Policy, Sarah Lee, commented: "Knives are used by many people involved in farming and country sports, and these sensible proposals being put forward by the Home Office are to be welcomed. We are pleased that our concerns were listened to and acted upon, and we will continue to work with the Government to ensure that the interests of rural communities continue to be represented throughout the passage of the Bill."