Tough new measures to tackle violent crime in Northern Ireland were announced by the British government today.
Proposals providing new powers and penalties in relation to knives, firearms and crossbows - contained in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill for England and Wales - are to be extended to the North.
The Bill, laid before parliament today, is expected to become law by next March. Announcing the move, Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said: "The Government is committed to tackling the levels of violent crime in society by further restricting the availability of knives, weapons and imitation firearms."
Restrictions on the sale of knives, bladed weapons and crossbows will be tightened by increasing from 16 to 18 the age at which people can purchase them, said Mr Hanson. "The penalty for failure to comply will be up to six months imprisonment," he said.
"It will also be an offence for a person to use someone else to hide or carry a dangerous weapon for an unlawful purpose - with a penalty of up to 10 years, Mr Hanson added. The maximum custodial sentence for carrying an imitation firearm in a public place will be 12 months.