Gloucestershire MP calls for review of knife law exemptions
Whilst it's illegal to carry knives, there are exemptions under the law such as carrying a knife for work, for religious reasons or as part of a national costume.
A Gloucestershire MP is calling for a review of the legal exemptions which allow the wearing of knives in public.
It is illegal in the UK law to carry most knives in public without a good reason and the maximum penalty for an adult caught doing so is either four years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
However, there are exemptions under the law such as carrying a knife for work, for religious reasons or as part of a national costume.
These exemptions apply to the Kirpan carried by practicing Sikhs and sgian dubhs worn with Scottish national dress.
Tewkesbury’s Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas has called a review of these exemptions after the jailing Vickrum Digwa who used an eight inch blade to murder Henry Nowak in Southampton on 3 December.
“This cowardly murder is not a reflection upon the Sikh community which has integrated itself with honour and modesty into the UK,” he said during a debate in the House of Commons.
“I understand that the weapon wielded was not that traditionally carried by Sikhs. I however believe that this murder may give reasonable grounds to review existing exemptions on the grounds of religious reasons and national dress.”
Mr Thomas went on to ask Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood: “I know that the Home Secretary wants to halve knife crime in the next 10 years, what message do these exemptions give? Is she honestly going to rule out at least a review?”
In response, the Home Secretary said a balance must be found between religious freedom and public protection, but a formal review will not be launched.
She said serious consideration is required and the process must begin with discussions with the Sikh community, knife crime campaigners, and the police.
In a statement after the debate, Mr Thomas said that he was pleased that the Home Secretary confirmed that following initial consultations with the Sikh community, she will consider informally reviewing existing exemptions.
He added: “In 2014, Hollie Gazzard was stabbed to death by a fixated former partner. Her murder shocked Gloucestershire, and it is my position that where there is the potential to tighten access to knives for those inclined to use them for harm, we are duty bound to explore those measures.
“Freedom of religion and cultural expression are important liberties, but a proportionate, evidence-led review should take place, in the interest of public safety.
“The Home Office has not yet confirmed when the Home Secretary’s discussions with stakeholders are expected to take place.”
The Home Secretary told the House of Commons on June 2 that “the Nowak family, and Henry’s memory, deserve answers”.
“They have also called on us all to take action: action to address the daily tragedy of knife crime in this country,” she said. “This government is committed to halving knife crime in this decade.
“Since the start of this Parliament, we have made progress: knife crime has fallen by 10 per cent, Knife homicides are down 27 per cent, at their lowest level in a decade. Clearly, we must do more, while there are still tragedies like this one. For that reason, we have recently published our
“Halving Knife Crime Plan. It sets out how we will go further to drive sustained reductions in violence. It brings together action across government and across society to stop people from turning to knife crime and to ensure perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.
“Amongst a range of measures, this will see: Schools and families supported to address the root causes of knife crime through the establishment of 50 Young Futures Hubs; police using new crime mapping tools to target enforcement more precisely; and making better use of Stop and Search and cruel and exploitative drug gangs stopped from criminally exploiting children, preventing the knife violence driven by the county lines trade.
“In relation to knife controls, there have been calls to limit the right of Sikh’s to carry their ceremonial knife, the kirpan – one of the five holy items in their faith. The Offensive Weapons Act of 2019, passed under the previous government, clarified and strengthened existing legal protections in relation to long kirpans. This included extending defences so that kirpans can be lawfully possessed for religious reasons and used in religious and ceremonial contexts.
“Let me be clear: carrying a knife for the purpose of religious observance is one thing. Using it, as so tragically occurred in this case, is quite another: it is a vile act. A crime of the utmost severity and it will be met with the severest punishment.”