UK proposes fines for executives over illegal knife sales ads
Government’s effort to combat knife crime.
The UK government is considering fines of up to £10,000 for social media executives who fail to remove illegal knife advertisements from their platforms. This proposal is part of Labour’s effort to halve knife crime in the next decade by addressing the ‘unacceptable use’ of online spaces to market illegal weapons and promote violence.
Under the plans, police would have the power to issue warnings to online companies and require the removal of specific content, with further penalties imposed on senior officials if action is not taken swiftly.The government also aims to tighten laws around the sale of ninja swords, following the tragic case of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was killed with a weapon bought online.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that these new sanctions are part of a broader mission to reduce knife crime, which has devastated many communities. The proposals, backed by a coalition including actor Idris Elba, aim to ensure that online marketplaces take greater responsibility in preventing the sale of dangerous weapons.
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