Ministers want to extend the law on threatening with a blade from public and schools to include colleagues and universities too – but Philip Davies says it should apply everywhere.

He told MPs in the Commons today as the Offensive Weapons Bill was debated: "I cannot for the life of me see why someone who threatens somebody with a knife should not be prosecuted for this offence, regardless of where the offence takes place.

"But why should it not apply to all premises?

"Why is threatening somebody with a knife only an offence if it's in a public place, school premise or a further educational establishment?"

Saying there was "clearly" a problem with violent crime in Britain today, the MP Shipley for added: "Surely threatening somebody with a knife should be an offence wherever they are threatening somebody with a knife?"

Under current laws in the Prevention of Crime Act it is an offence to possess an offensive weapon or blade in a public place or on school premises.

And it's also illegal to use a knife to threaten others and risk harming them – with thugs risking a £5,000 fine and a maximum of four years in prison.

He will table amendments to the bill to cover what he says are gaps in the law.

Mr Davies cried for "common sense" to prevail but he says "the law isn't be extended in that way" to make it "much safer for our constituents".

The Government has said that the offences are already covered by other laws.

Ministers are bringing in new laws concerning age checks, home deliveries and overseas sales of knives.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said today that it is "wrong" that young people can buy acid easily and promised this bill will make Britain's streets safer by banning the sale of it to under 18s.

It is being introduced as Britain has seen a spike in violent crime, knife attacks and moped thug crimes in the last year.

Mr Javid said it was down to a range of reasons – including changes in the UK's drugs market.

He told MPs: "The measures outlined on corrosives will stop young people from getting hold of particularly dangerous acids.

"Measures on online knife sales will stop young people from getting hold of knives online.

"And the measures on the possession of offensive weapons will give the police the powers they need to act where people have flick knives and zombie knives and other particularly dangerous knives that have absolutely no place in our homes and communities."

But Labour's Louise Hiagh said that the "violent surge" in crime had left communities "reeling" – and that the trend was enveloping a whole generation of people.

Labour's David Hanson also called for shop workers to receive further protection after fears they could be attacked for refusing to sell kids knives and acid.

The Home Secretary said he would consider the request, which would make it a more serious offence.

The Home Office has been approached for comment on Mr Davies' amendments.


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