Appendix A: Independent review terms of reference (accessible)
Updated 26 February 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-end-to-end-review-of-online-knife-sales/appendix-a-independent-review-terms-of-reference-accessible
Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP
Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention
Review of online sale of knives: Terms of reference
Aim
1. To conduct an end-to-end review on the online sale and delivery of knives. This will include consideration of the effectiveness of measures to prevent the sale and delivery of knives to under 18s and measures to prevent the sale of knives listed as prohibited offensive weapons in general.
Objectives
2. The objectives of the review are to establish:
i. An understanding of:
a. the different ways knives are sold online and delivered within England and Wales by companies based in the UK and imported by companies based outside the UK.
b. the processes followed as part of the online sales process, from the point of sale through to the actual delivery or supply of the knife.
c. how law enforcement applies the law in this area.
ii. The effectiveness of measures currently used by sellers based within the UK, sellers which are based outside the UK and import knives in and delivery companies to prevent the sale and delivery of knives online to under-18s and the sale of knives listed as prohibited offensive weapons.
iii. What gaps and deficiencies exist in current processes and procedures used by online sellers, online marketplaces and companies, delivery companies, enforcement agencies and within existing knife legislation.
iv. What examples of best practice are being used by online sellers and delivery companies to prevent the sale and delivery of knives to under-18s and the sale of knives listed as prohibited offensive weapons.
v. What law enforcement can do to improve the way that it enforces the law on the online sales of knives.
vi. What recommendations should be made to strengthen processes and legislation relating to the online sale and delivery of knives to more effectively prevent the sale and delivery of knives to under-18s and the sale of knives listed as prohibited offensive weapons.
Timing
3. The timescale for the review will be three months from when the Reviewer starts the review to completion.
Report
4. The Reviewer will provide a report that addresses the objectives at paragraph 2 to the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention and the Home Secretary.
Approach and conduct of the review
5. The Reviewer will lead the review, with support from a team drawn primarily from the Home Office and supported by policing and other agencies. Senior level team resources will not be abstracted from the review team without the Reviewer’s prior agreement.
6. The Reviewer will require a small team to provide direct support in carrying out their functions. Composition of this team will be determined by the Home Office.
7. The Reviewer will hold regular meetings with the Home Office Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the online review of sales of knives. This will be the Deputy Director and Head of Firearms and Weapons Policy Unit.
8. The Reviewer, through their team, will be given full access to all relevant documents and information, subject to the requirements of the law (including GDPR) and any pre-existing constraints with information management.
9. The review will set out a series of recommendations aligned to these Terms of Reference for wider consideration.