EBay pledges knife sale crackdown

9 February 2009 05:15am

Auction website eBay is to stop UK users being able to buy illegal knives from abroad after a probe revealed the loophole existed, it has emerged.

The BBC's Watchdog programme asked the website to investigate after buying five knives which are illegal to sell or carry in the UK from international sellers.

The knives all cost less than £10 and were sold by US traders through eBay's site in the UK.

Researchers actually ordered a total of six knives using the website, but one was intercepted by customs officers, the BBC said.

The others - including one made from plastic but described as "strong as steel" - have since been handed to police.

After being alerted to the practice, eBay said it was reviewing the sale of all knives.

The auction engine told the broadcaster: "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.

"This should not have been possible and we have taken steps to close that loophole."

Figures released by the Metropolitan Police last month showed that the number of fatal stabbings rose from 74 to 83 last year.

© The Press Association