Britain plans to strengthen age verification to prevent children from buying knives

The deadly knife attack in Southport, northwest England, has prompted the British government to rethink its measures to control the sale of knives. The authorities plan to strengthen age verification policies to stop children from buying knives.

British teenager Axel Rudakubana carried out a knife attack in Southport in July last year that left three young women dead. While authorities are investigating the case, the public is focusing on regulations governing the purchase of knives.

The government announced Sunday that it expects to begin parliamentary legislation in the next few months on a measure that would force retailers to check buyers' photo ID when selling and delivering knives, and that only the person who placed the order would be able to accept delivery.

Current UK law requires retailers to establish age verification systems to prevent buyers under the age of 18 from buying knives, but the elements of these systems are not clearly defined.

Home Secretary Ybette Cooper said: "It is disgraceful that it is still too easy for children to buy dangerous weapons online. People can easily fill in false dates of birth and often packages are left at the door and no questions asked."