'I'm not tech-savvy - but within hours I could buy an illegal knife on social media'

Ruth Green, a journalist for BBC News, recently explored the alarming ease with which illegal knives can be purchased on social media platforms. At 48 years old, Ruth admits she is not very tech-savvy and had never used Telegram until last year. Her curiosity was sparked by a case involving two teenagers who had bought a sword and a machete online. This led her to investigate how simple it might be to buy a knife through social media. In the spring of 2024, she created several social media accounts under the guise of an 18-year-old man from London, who felt the need to carry a knife for protection, influenced by his peers. To keep her investigation discreet, Ruth acquired a separate mobile phone to avoid affecting her usual online searches. She began searching for knives, liking and following accounts that showcased knife-related content. Almost immediately, her new accounts began to flood her feed with similar posts. Ruth observed a pattern where knives were being advertised on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, with sellers directing potential buyers to their Telegram channels. These channels are encrypted groups where images, videos, and prices of knives for sale were shared openly. Within hours of her search, Ruth found her first Telegram group that was selling illegal weapons, including zombie knives, machetes, and switchblades. Prices were surprisingly low, with 22-inch machetes costing around £40 and 24-inch zombie knives priced at £50, with promises of quick delivery to the Birmingham area for just £5. Shortly after, the seller announced that the machetes and zombie knives had sold out and even conducted a poll asking group members if they should start selling stab-proof vests. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many subscribers eager to purchase. Over the next few weeks, Ruth discovered more than ten social media accounts that were actively selling illegal knives. She quickly learned the slang used in these circles, such as terms for different types of knives. The sellers showcased their products in various colors, and some even posted pictures of their deliveries, claiming to use reliable courier services to ensure fast shipping. Buyers left reviews praising the quality of the knives, with comments like 'banging quality these' and 'vouched - nice one bro. ' Some groups even offered discounts for bulk purchases and chances to win free knives. Throughout her investigation, Ruth noted that there was no age verification process in place for these transactions. While some groups were shut down during her nine-month observation period, many remained active, frequently posting updates about their stock status. In September 2024, the government introduced new legislation making it illegal to own or sell certain types of knives, including zombie-style knives and machetes. This legislation added these weapons to a growing list of prohibited items, making it more challenging for individuals to acquire them. However, Ruth found that the trade continued to thrive, with one group’s admin boasting about sourcing zombie knives from abroad, including countries like Malaysia, Pakistan, and China. They claimed that their shipments were reliable and that they were preparing for future bulk stock, which would lower prices. On Valentine's Day, Ruth noticed a message in one group that had grown from zero to 600 members in just a few months, playfully suggesting that members buy knives for their partners as a way to keep them safe. While many of the knives being sold were clearly illegal, some were not. The sale of legal knives over Telegram was not technically prohibited, as sellers did not require a license or registration. However, it was illegal to promote the use of knives as weapons. The Home Office planned to launch a consultation in spring 2025 regarding a registration scheme for online knife sales, which would require sellers of all knives, including regular kitchen knives, to register. The Offensive Weapons Act mandated a system for age verification during sales and deliveries, but Ruth found no evidence of such measures in the groups she monitored. Ruth also reached out to social media platforms to inquire about their efforts to combat this harmful content. Snapchat stated that selling weapons, including knives, was explicitly banned and that they actively worked to remove such content. They claimed to take action against violators by disabling accounts and supporting police investigations. TikTok echoed this sentiment, stating that the trade of dangerous weapons was prohibited and that they had removed 96% of clips that breached their guidelines in the third quarter of 2024. They emphasized their collaboration with law enforcement to address knife crime. Ruth also contacted Meta, which had not yet provided a comment, but previously stated that the promotion and sale of weapons on their platforms was banned. They had met with other tech companies and government officials to discuss how to tackle this issue. Telegram claimed that the sale of illegal goods was against their terms of service and that they employed moderators and AI tools to monitor the platform. They also stated that they assist police investigations and would disclose user information in response to valid legal requests. Ruth spoke with the family of Ronan Kanda, a teenager who was murdered, and they expressed their concerns about the ease of obtaining knives online. His mother, Pooja, emphasized that the online sale of knives played a significant role in the tragedy. Following Ronan's death, the government announced new measures known as Ronan's Law, which included harsher penalties for selling knives to individuals under 18. Pooja stated, 'Out of tragedy comes a light,' but she insisted that more needed to be done to prevent such incidents. As it stands, buying lethal blades on social media remains alarmingly easy.