Idris Elba to work with Home Secretary to stop knives ending up in the hands of young people

Idris Elba will work with the Government to stop knives ending up in the hands of young people.

Commander Stephen Clayman, the national policing lead for knife crime, will carry out an urgent review of “gaps in legislation” as part of a new initiative being launched on Monday.

Elba, the Hollywood actor and campaigner, will join Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street to promote a coalition of organisations coming together to stop young people being dragged into violent gangs.

Technology companies, sporting organisations, the health service and the police are also involved in what is expected to be the first annual knife crime summit.

So-called zombie knives have already been outlawed but there is concern that gaps exist in other areas of knife legislation.

Current legislation bans the sale of knives to under 18s but there is concern that the law is not sufficiently enforced, particularly among online retailers.

Campaigners have called for stricter age checks for internet sales.