Idris Elba calls for tougher knife crime after spate of teen murders in Britain

Actor Idris Elba on Monday called on the British government to ban machetes and 'zombie' serrated knives to help stop young people falling victim to knife crime.

The London-born star of The Wire and Luther joined Don't Stop Your Future protesters in the street parliamentposing with clothes and shoes depicting people being stabbed to death.

In the UK, which has strict gun control laws, around four in 10 murders involve the use of a knife or sharp instrument. Knife crime involving young people in UK cities is a particular concern. U Londonin 2023, 21 teenagers were killed, 18 of whom were stabbed.

“I cannot remain silent as more and more young lives are lost as a result of these brutal and callous crimes,” Elba said. “When school returns, too many young people won't be able to join their classmates, and too many grieving families have lost a young person they loved in recent years.”

In August 2023, the government announced a ban on machetes and knives that look threatening, but the law has yet to be approved by parliament.

Elba also said tech companies should be held accountable for images of knives on cellphones.

“I can pick up the phone right now, dial Knives, and I'll be bombarded with their ads,” he said. “We have to find a way to curb the technology companies, the advertising, to remove it.”

Premier Rishi Sunaka's spokesman, Max Blaine, said knife crime and stabbing hospitalizations were down compared to 2019-2020 before the pandemic.

“But nevertheless, we know that knife crime destroys lives,” he said. “We want to do more. It's great that Idris Elba and others continue to shine a light on this important issue.”