New measures issued to tackle stabbings, killings in London

LONDON - A ban on the sale of the most dangerous corrosive products to under-18s and tough restrictions on online sales of knives were announced on Sunday by the Home Office, Britain's interior ministry.

The move came as politicians and senior police officials grapple with a wave of stabbings and killings in London, which so far this year have left more than 50 people dead.

In the latest incident, police in London arrested a woman on suspicion of attempted murder on Saturday night after a man was stabbed outside Highbury and Islington station in north London.

The government is to make it a criminal offense to possess corrosive substances in a public place, and publicly consult on extending controversial stop-and-search powers to enable the police to search for and seize acid from people carrying it in public without good reason.

A new Offensive Weapons Bill, to be brought forward within weeks, would also make it illegal to possess certain offensive weapons like zombie knives and knuckle-dusters in private.

The commitment of new legislation will form part of a government Serious Violence Strategy to be launched on Monday.

Other measures which the Home Office intends to bring forward within weeks include stopping knives being sent to residential addresses after they are bought online and banning the possession of a knife within colleges and further education premises.

Also banned will be rapid firing rifles, and certain powerful firearms and bump stocks.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "To tackle violent crime effectively, robust legislation and powerful law enforcement must be in place. That's why we will introduce a new Offensive Weapons Bill that includes a new offense of possessing acid in public without good reason, prevents sales of acids to under-18s and stops knives being sent to people's homes when bought online.

"We will consult on extending stop and search powers to include acid. Stop and search is a vital policing tool and officers will always have the government's full support to use these powers properly."

Xinhua