Idris Elba launched a new campaign to tackle knife crime in Britain, calling for the U.K. government to act as the death toll among teenage boys continues to rise.
On Instagram, The Harder They Fall actor shared a picture of himself standing outside of the Houses of Parliament—around him, dozens of outfits laid out—each worn by a teenager whose life was ended by a knife or machete. The public display is part of Elba’s Don’t Stop Your Future (DSYF)campaign. DSYF works with local communities and iconic brands to tackle serious violence.
One in four murders in Britain involves a knife or sharp instrument. In London last year, 18 teenagers were stabbed to death.
“Today I’m calling on the Government for change,” he wrote. “Each set of clothes laid represents a life lost to serious youth violence. Serious youth violence is rising across the country, meaning that hundreds of promising lives are being cut short. Everyday, the feeling of helplessness in us parents grows bigger and bigger. The Government promised to ban zombie knives and machetes, we need this promise delivered. We’re also calling for a new coalition to end knife crime.”
Inspired by zombie films and weapons used in horror movies, a zombie knife is a bladed weapon, often comprised of one smooth blade and one serrated edge. Available in an assortment of sizes and shapes, they often feature graphics or text suggesting they should be used for violence. In 2019, the Offensive Weapons Act made it illegal to possess, sell, import or manufacture them, but Parliament is still going back and forth, trying to close additional loopholes.
In August, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a crackdown on ‘zombie-style’ knives with no practical and that police would be given more powers to seize and destroy them.
“There’s no sensible reason anyone should own them or possess them. So, we’re going to ban them and make it illegal to possess them. Lastly, we’re toughening up the sentencing for people who are caught with these weapons,” he said in a statement. “Taken together, it’s a strong set of powers that, having spoken to the police, they know will make a big difference to their ability to cut knife crime down. I’m pleased that knife crime is down since the pre-pandemic levels but we’ve got to keep going to root out this awful crime. Today’s powers will make a big difference.”
Last month, Google came under fire for profiting from ads offering lethal weapons for sale to people in the U.K., allowing sponsored listings for “zombie knives” to appear at the top of search results.
“Google’s promotion of these weapons is both irresponsible and reprehensible – it is obscene to profit off human misery in this way. Recent government commitments to ban the sale and use of zombie blades and machetes are welcome but also long overdue,” Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Helen Newlove, said per The Guardian.”
Google has since removed the violating listings. Under the country’s new Online Safety Act, Google and other tech giants will have a legal duty to prevent illegal activity.
