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Acid attacks: Retailers sign up to voluntary ban on acid sales | Acid attacks: Retailers sign up to voluntary ban on acid sales |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Some of the UK's largest retailers have agreed to voluntarily stop sales of acids to customers under 18 years old. | Some of the UK's largest retailers have agreed to voluntarily stop sales of acids to customers under 18 years old. |
The move comes amid continuing concern over the use of corrosive substances as a weapon. | The move comes amid continuing concern over the use of corrosive substances as a weapon. |
In the year to last April, police recorded more than 500 attacks in England and Wales, double the number five years ago, with the majority of incidents in London. | In the year to last April, police recorded more than 500 attacks in England and Wales, double the number five years ago, with the majority of incidents in London. |
A fifth of attackers who had been identified were under 18 years old. | A fifth of attackers who had been identified were under 18 years old. |
The true level of acid crimes may be much higher than official records show. | The true level of acid crimes may be much higher than official records show. |
A Freedom of Information request found the Metropolitan Police alone recorded more than 450 noxious or corrosive fluid incidents in London in 2016. | A Freedom of Information request found the Metropolitan Police alone recorded more than 450 noxious or corrosive fluid incidents in London in 2016. |
A Home Office analysis estimated the true national rate could be as high as 900 crimes a year. | A Home Office analysis estimated the true national rate could be as high as 900 crimes a year. |
The Home Office has already proposed new legislation to ban the sale of corrosive substances to under-18s as well as an additional offence of possession in a public place without good reason. | The Home Office has already proposed new legislation to ban the sale of corrosive substances to under-18s as well as an additional offence of possession in a public place without good reason. |
This would bring the law for household acids and harmful chemicals that are not already subject to legal restrictions into line with crimes relating to knives. | This would bring the law for household acids and harmful chemicals that are not already subject to legal restrictions into line with crimes relating to knives. |
The public consultation on that proposal, which would have to go through Parliament, closed last month. | The public consultation on that proposal, which would have to go through Parliament, closed last month. |
Acid attacks: What has led to the rise and how can they be stopped? | Acid attacks: What has led to the rise and how can they be stopped? |
Sharp rise in attacks involving corrosive fluids in London | Sharp rise in attacks involving corrosive fluids in London |
In the meantime, DIY chains B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes, along with Waitrose, Morrisons and the Co-Op have committed to impose their own voluntary bans on sales to under-18s. | In the meantime, DIY chains B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes, along with Waitrose, Morrisons and the Co-Op have committed to impose their own voluntary bans on sales to under-18s. |
The British Independent Retailers Association, which includes independent DIY and hardware shops, will also ask its members to sign up to the new voluntary ban. | The British Independent Retailers Association, which includes independent DIY and hardware shops, will also ask its members to sign up to the new voluntary ban. |
Under it, retailers will agree not to sell to under-18s any of their products that contain harmful levels of acid or other corrosive substances, such as powerful drain cleaners. | |
Staff will be expected to challenge buyers to prove their age in the same way that they do for solvents, spray paints and knives. | |
Crime minister Victoria Atkins said: "I'm pleased that so many of the UK's major retailers are joining our fight... and signalling they are committed to selling acids responsibly. | |
"This is the next step of our acid attacks action plan that has already seen us consult on new laws to restrict young people's access to acids." | "This is the next step of our acid attacks action plan that has already seen us consult on new laws to restrict young people's access to acids." |
But former chief prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, says the voluntary ban does not go far enough. | |
He said shops will not be sanctioned if they do not abide by the rules. | |
He added: "The other issue is online; I checked and you can buy sulphuric acid at 96% strength, which will burn your face off, for £10 on next day delivery. | |
"Until you tackle that issue, you're only playing with it rather than tackling it." | |
The Home Office has also said experts at the University of Leicester are beginning detailed research into the characteristics and motivations of attackers. | |
Acid or other corrosive chemicals have been a weapon in a range of crimes, including revenge, so-called "honour crimes", gang violence and theft from delivery drivers. | Acid or other corrosive chemicals have been a weapon in a range of crimes, including revenge, so-called "honour crimes", gang violence and theft from delivery drivers. |
In one of the most serious recent cases, a man who threw acid in a packed London nightclub, injuring 22 people, was jailed for 20 years. | In one of the most serious recent cases, a man who threw acid in a packed London nightclub, injuring 22 people, was jailed for 20 years. |
Another man is facing trial later this year for the alleged murder of a woman who died after she was splashed with a corrosive substance. | Another man is facing trial later this year for the alleged murder of a woman who died after she was splashed with a corrosive substance. |