The British government announced plans on Sunday to enforce stricter age-verification measures for purchasing knives, following the shocking murder of three young girls by a teenager at a

Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport.

The attack, carried out in July by Axel Rudakubana, was described by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as one of the most distressing moments in the country’s recent history. The tragedy has prompted a public inquiry into the systemic failures that allowed it to occur.

While the inquiry is expected to focus on why authorities failed to respond to warnings about Rudakubana before the attack, attention has also turned to gaps in the laws governing knife sales.

Under current regulations, retailers are required to implement age-verification systems to prevent individuals under 18 from purchasing knives. However, the specifics of these systems are not clearly outlined, leaving loopholes that can be exploited.

Interior Minister Yvette Cooper expressed outrage in parliament last week over the ease with which Rudakubana, then 17, was able to buy a knife online. She called the situation “a disgrace” and emphasized the urgent need for reform.

In response, the government announced that new measures will require retailers to verify photo identification both at the point of sale and upon delivery. Additionally, deliveries will only be permitted to the person who placed the order, eliminating the practice of leaving parcels unattended.

“It’s utterly disgraceful how easily children can still access dangerous weapons online,” Cooper said in a statement. “False birth dates can be entered without scrutiny, and parcels are often left on doorsteps with no questions asked.”

The proposed changes will be included in a forthcoming bill set to begin its legislative process in the coming months. Photo by Olaf Simons, Wikimedia commons.