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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 5 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. |
A number of DIY stores and supermarkets have signed up to the ban, which will apply to drain cleaners and domestic products with high acid concentrations. | |
The Home Office has already proposed new laws to limit the sale of corrosive substances amid continuing concern over rising numbers of acid attacks. | |
A fifth of acid attackers identified in 2016-17 were under 18 years old. | |
The proposed legislation would make it unlawful to sell the substances to under-18s, and also make it a criminal offence to be in possession of acid in a public place without good reason. | |
The move 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 will have to go through Parliament, closed last month. | |
In the meantime, DIY chains B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes have committed to impose their own voluntary bans on sales to under-18s. | |
Supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and the Co-Op have also signed up. | |
The BBC has contacted the retailers to ask if they stock products affected by the ban. | |
Morrisons and Co-Op - the only firms to respond so far - both said they do not currently stock any products included in the 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. | 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. | 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. |
The restrictions will apply to drain cleaners containing sulphuric acid, as well as paint strippers, limescale removers and other cleaning products with an acid concentration of more than 10% or 12%. | |
Staff will be expected to challenge buyers to prove their age in the same way that they do for solvents, spray paints and knives. | 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. | 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." |
However, former chief prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, says the voluntary ban does not go far enough. | |
'Cowardly and craven' | |
He said shops will not be sanctioned if they do not abide by the rules. | 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. | 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." | "Until you tackle that issue, you're only playing with it rather than tackling it." |
Russell Findlay, who had sulphuric acid thrown in his face three years ago, said the move was a "step in the right direction" and "a good thing". | |
However, he said he doubted what impact it would have on people determined to carry acid, and said it was necessary for young people to receive better education. | |
He told the BBC: "These young gang members, they need to be made to realise how cowardly and craven these acts are." | |
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. | |
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 Home Office analysis estimated the true national rate could be as high as 900 crimes a year. | |
Honour crimes | |
The Home 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. |