Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Border Force takes steps to seize bladed articles imported to the UK for delivery to a person under 18; and if he will make a statement.

Border Force does not conduct checks on the age of the consignee because currently at the time of purchase, it is the seller’s responsibility to ensure that they are not selling articles with blade or point, or prohibited items to under 18’s.

On 20 June the Offensive Weapons Bill was introduced into Parliament. The Bill forms one of the commitments within the Serious Violence Strategy published in April to respond to crimes involving knives, corrosive substances and firearms.

Border Force, with other law enforcement partners, will enforce any new measures introduced in the Offensive Weapons Bill, subject to it completing its Parliamentary passage and receiving Royal Assent.