POLICE are warning online shoppers they face prosecution when buying stun guns and flick knives.

The reminder follows concerns over the growing popularity of people visiting online retailers based overseas to buy offensive weapons like replica guns and imitations, as well as items like knuckledusters which are illegal to import.

Ongoing work between Northumbria Police and UK Border Force successfully prevents scores of packages containing dangerous weapons from being delivered.

In 2019, the partnership work saw 223 items seized and safely destroyed – and so far this year that figure sits at 190.

“We know that the majority of people who buy knives and other weapons online are law abiding citizens with genuine reasons for the items they order,” said Detective Constable Colin Davidson, from the Force’s Crime Department.

“However we are seeing an increasing number of people using sites which are based abroad, often in China to buy dangerous and illegal weapons like karambits which are basically knives with a knuckleduster built-in and, realistic imitation firearms – ignorant of the fact they face prosecution for this.

“We’re also seeing more stun devices being seized, including ones which come disguised as torches and carry a minimum jail term of five years – which is a much bigger price to pay for something you can buy for £10 online.

“I want to reiterate the message that just because something is for sale online, it does not mean it is legal to import into or own in this country. An online retailer will not stop you buying something which is illegal here in the UK – it’s up to you as an individual to be aware of the law.”

Under current legislation the importation of dangerous items like batons, flick knives and firearms is banned but later this year when the Offensive Weapons Act takes effect items such as flick knives will become illegal to possess within the home.

As part of his work, Det Con Davidson and his team not only seize items bought in ignorance, but also work with historians, tradespeople and collectors of knives and weapons who have items legally – offering safe methods of disposal and ongoing education about the changing law.

Recently, the team carried out a range of activity as part of Operation Sceptre – a week-long initiative to tackle knife crime and serious violence – where they visited 96 people who were either expecting an online delivery of a weapon or a collector and successfully recovered 22 knives, a knuckleduster and a kubotan - a baton like weapon.

Det Con Davidson added:  “I would warn anyone considering buying a weapon online to seriously consider the consequences – is it worth risking a criminal record and is it something you really need to have in your home?”

Carrying an offensive weapon, knife, bladed or pointed article is a serious offence. The unlawful provision and possession of weapons encourages violence and can cause serious injury and death in addition to facilitating other criminal offences. We seek to minimise the opportunities of weapons falling into the wrong hands.