More than 500 weapons seized in national crackdown on online knife sales

Operation Obex was launched by the National Knife Crime Centre after it obtained details of UK customers who had bought weapons from a European retailer selling both legal and prohibited knives.

The retailer subsequently stopped selling knives to the UK following contact from the National Knife Crime Centre and Europol.

Police then examined sales data which provided intelligence on more than 300 people who had bought weapons. Those who had purchased multiple prohibited weapons were referred to local police forces for potential enforcement action. Recent activity has resulted in hundreds of weapons being seized, as well as multiple arrests and charges.

The Metropolitan Police Service made nine arrests and recovered 16 weapons, including zombie-style machetes, lock knives, a shotgun and swords. Twelve charges have subsequently been brought for offences including importing and possessing offensive weapons.

Greater Manchester Police made 10 arrests and recovered 85 weapons. Avon and Somerset Police charged four men, aged between 19 and 22, with importing prohibited weapons following three separate warrants. They are suspected of importing more than 35 prohibited weapons between them.

In Epsom, Surrey Police arrested a man on suspicion of possessing and importing prohibited weapons and possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate. Officers seized more than 60 weapons which were illegal to possess in private, together with more than 270 non-prohibited weapons.

West Midlands Police also made multiple arrests at addresses in Birmingham and Walsall, with at least three people charged with offences including possession and importation of prohibited weapons. Zombie knives, knuckle dusters, firearms and live ammunition were among the items seized.

Commander Stephen Clayman, head of the National Knife Crime Centre, said tackling so-called grey-market sellers, people who buy knives, including prohibited weapons, in bulk before selling them through social media and informal networks, was a key priority.

He said an earlier review of online knife sales had identified “significant legislative loopholes” which continued to be exploited. “We continue to work with the Home Office on a range of measures to address many of the issues raised in the review, including new legislation to address this, such as more robust age-verification processes and UK bulk sales reporting,” he said.

“We are committed to identifying, pursuing and bringing to justice those involved in the illegal purchase and onward sale of dangerous weapons, often to children.”

Commander Clayman said the operation demonstrated the importance of cooperation between police forces, Border Force and other criminal justice partners. “Over 500 knives have been prevented from being used and every one seized is a potential life saved or serious injury avoided,” he said.

The National Knife Crime Centre said it would continue working with Border Force to identify gaps that allow prohibited weapons to enter the UK and called on online platforms and the public to report suspicious activity.