Children can more easily purchase knives than paracetamol, a damning police review has revealed.
The assessment comes as ministers unveil a crackdown on the sale of bladed weapons to under-18s.
The new restrictions aim to close dangerous loopholes in knife sales, particularly focusing on online purchases and age verification requirements.
The measures will collectively be known as Ronan's Law, named after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda who was fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity.
The new legislation will introduce tougher prison sentences for those caught selling knives to under-18s
PA
The new legislation will introduce tougher prison sentences for those caught selling knives to under-18s.
Retailers will also face new obligations to report suspicious transactions and bulk purchases of knives that could be resold through social media platforms.
Ronan's mother, Pooja Kanda, spoke emotionally about the new law's significance.
She told Sky News: "What a legacy to have in my son's name. Ronan will live on, he will live on making the difference that the laws exist."
She described how her son's killers had obtained weapons online: "The murderer of my son just was getting these type of weapons and selling them on social media.
"He was able to get them freely on his mother's ID and mother's bank account and then he was selling it for more profit to other children."
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You need to be over 16 to purchase paracetamol
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Metropolitan Police Commander Stephen Clayman, who leads national knife crime efforts, highlighted major concerns about age verification processes.
He said: "The age verification is a huge vulnerability, both in terms of at point of sale and at delivery."
He emphasised the stark contrast with other age-restricted items. "Bizarrely, it is harder to buy paracetamol in some respects than it is to buy a knife. And that can't be right."
Yvette Cooper emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive action to address knife sales.
"Everyone has to take responsibility," she stated. "We cannot continue with this online free for all."
The measures will collectively be known as Ronan's Law, named after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda who was fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity
West Midlands Police
The Home Secretary highlighted the dangers of current loopholes in knife sales to minors. "That makes it too easy with these lethal loopholes of selling knives and dangerous weapons to children."
"It has to be closed. And that's why we need everyone to act," she added.
Pooja Kanda backed the government's new strategy but emphasised that broader societal changes are needed.
She vowed to hold politicians accountable and continue her campaign for reform in memory of her son.
She said: "My last breath is dedicated to Ronan, I will continue to fight for my son and to make sure that what has gone wrong is corrected. I will die doing that for my son."
