17/10/2017
Corrosive substances covered by new laws to tackle violence (E, W, S)
Online and high street retailers trading in acids and other corrosive products may have to change their business models to accommodate a proposed new offence – similar to that applying to the sale of knives in respect of due diligence etc – banning the sale of products containing the most harmful corrosive substances to under-18s.
Other measures to tackle the alarming increase in the use of corrosive substances to terrify, maim and intimidate, include new minimum custodial sentences for under-18s who are repeatedly in breach of a new offence of “possession of a corrosive substance in public without a good or lawful reason” – with the onus on them to explain why they were carrying it.
The Home Office is also considering whether to list the corrosive substances (including relevant concentration levels) of particular concern in statutory guidance or possibly through an order-making power, which would enable it to add substances or change concentration levels without primary legislation.
Also of particular relevance to retailers in an extensive package of measures tackling ‘offensive and dangerous’ weapons is a new offence of delivering a knife sold online to a private residential address. This reflects concerns that too many online sales break the existing law banning sales of knives to under-18s.
Other main measures on which views are sought include
- amendments to threatening with a knife or offensive weapon offence to lower the evidential requirement for prosecutors
- allowing police to seize offensive weapons which are already banned in public places from private properties
- prohibiting knives (currently banned on school premises) from other educational institutions such as colleges
- updating the current legislation on the definition of flick knives (to reflect new designs)
- moving two firearms (.50 calibre and certain rapid firing rifles) from the general licensing arrangements to the stricter provisions of section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968
In addition to the main consultation paper, ‘Offensive and dangerous weapons: new legislation’ links to separate impact assessments dealing with
- acids and corrosive substances
- firearms
- knives
Keep up to date with the latest news by following us on social media:-
Watch the video to find out how CPA can help you
Read Our Blog – How to overcome common excuses for non-payment
Read our blog – Debt collection agency
Read our Cash Flow Advice
Read about our overdue account recovery service
Read our blog – What is credit management?
Read our blog -What is a credit management company?
Read our blog -Credit Management that works!
Read our blog – How to select a debt collection agency
click to see read about our successes
Please call us on 0330 053 9263 to discuss how CPA can help your cashflow. Alternatively, either email us or use our contact form.