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eBay illegal knife sale reviewed eBay illegal knife sale reviewed
(about 2 hours later)
Auction website eBay has admitted it needs to do more to protect its members after a BBC investigation revealed it was being used to sell illegal knives.Auction website eBay has admitted it needs to do more to protect its members after a BBC investigation revealed it was being used to sell illegal knives.
Watchdog researchers bought five knives which are illegal to sell or carry in the UK from international sellers.Watchdog researchers bought five knives which are illegal to sell or carry in the UK from international sellers.
eBay said it had "a responsibility to keep the site safe" and would review the sale of all knives.eBay said it had "a responsibility to keep the site safe" and would review the sale of all knives.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith recently launched an initiative with retailers to ensure knives are sold responsibly.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith recently launched an initiative with retailers to ensure knives are sold responsibly.
The scheme was set up with more than 20 retailers.The scheme was set up with more than 20 retailers.
The knives purchased, which all cost less than £10, were sold by US sellers through eBay's site in the UK.The knives purchased, which all cost less than £10, were sold by US sellers through eBay's site in the UK.
Researchers on the Watchdog programme ordered a total of six knives on eBay, however one was intercepted by customs officers.Researchers on the Watchdog programme ordered a total of six knives on eBay, however one was intercepted by customs officers.
And of the other five, one stealth knife described as being as "strong as steel" was made from plastic, making it more difficult to detect.And of the other five, one stealth knife described as being as "strong as steel" was made from plastic, making it more difficult to detect.
Clearly in this day and age we know that the public are very concerned about knives on the street, and retailers should be doing everything they can to stop it Alf HitchcockMetropolitan PoliceClearly in this day and age we know that the public are very concerned about knives on the street, and retailers should be doing everything they can to stop it Alf HitchcockMetropolitan Police
Other sellers attempted to disguise the true contents of the packages by labelling them as "a gift" or "a prop".Other sellers attempted to disguise the true contents of the packages by labelling them as "a gift" or "a prop".
Watchdog said its team considered the knives so dangerous that they handed them over to police and the weapons will now be destroyed.Watchdog said its team considered the knives so dangerous that they handed them over to police and the weapons will now be destroyed.
Following the investigation, eBay said: "Trust is the engine of eBay and as the UK's number one e-commerce site, we know we have a responsibility to keep the site safe for our buyers and sellers.Following the investigation, eBay said: "Trust is the engine of eBay and as the UK's number one e-commerce site, we know we have a responsibility to keep the site safe for our buyers and sellers.
"Although the UK site did not have any illegal knives for sale by UK sellers, it was possible for UK buyers to see or purchase knives from international sellers."Although the UK site did not have any illegal knives for sale by UK sellers, it was possible for UK buyers to see or purchase knives from international sellers.
"This should not have been possible and we have taken steps to close that loophole.""This should not have been possible and we have taken steps to close that loophole."
A spokesman added that the company invests more than £6m every year to develop "the best technology possible to prevent anything from slipping through the net".A spokesman added that the company invests more than £6m every year to develop "the best technology possible to prevent anything from slipping through the net".
"As the world's largest marketplace we don't handle items directly, so we use sophisticated technology to help us identify high risk or illegal items," he said, adding that safety is the company's "number one priority"."As the world's largest marketplace we don't handle items directly, so we use sophisticated technology to help us identify high risk or illegal items," he said, adding that safety is the company's "number one priority".
High-profile attacksHigh-profile attacks
The spokesman added: "We recognise we need to do more to protect our members. Therefore, we are reviewing our position with regards to the sale of all knives on eBay, including those currently permitted by law."The spokesman added: "We recognise we need to do more to protect our members. Therefore, we are reviewing our position with regards to the sale of all knives on eBay, including those currently permitted by law."
Figures released by the Metropolitan Police last month showed that the number of fatal stabbings rose last year as the number of deadly shootings fell.Figures released by the Metropolitan Police last month showed that the number of fatal stabbings rose last year as the number of deadly shootings fell.
It said there were 83 knife killings last year, compared with 74 in 2007. And the number of gun murders fell from 30 to 17.It said there were 83 knife killings last year, compared with 74 in 2007. And the number of gun murders fell from 30 to 17.
A record 30 teenagers were killed last year in knife crimes including a series of high-profile street attacks.A record 30 teenagers were killed last year in knife crimes including a series of high-profile street attacks.
Following the Watchdog investigation, Alf Hitchcock, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said it was "quite shocking that a retailer, and a responsible retailer at that, would be selling offensive weapons".Following the Watchdog investigation, Alf Hitchcock, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said it was "quite shocking that a retailer, and a responsible retailer at that, would be selling offensive weapons".
"Clearly in this day and age we know that the public are very concerned about knives on the street, and retailers should be doing everything they can to stop it," he said."Clearly in this day and age we know that the public are very concerned about knives on the street, and retailers should be doing everything they can to stop it," he said.
The Watchdog investigation will be shown on BBC One at 1930GMT on 9 February. The Watchdog investigation will be shown on BBC One at 1930 GMT on 9 February.