Bradford MPs demand tighter restrictions on sale of crossbows

Two Bradford MPs have called on the Government to act after an investigation by the Telegraph & Argus explored how easy it is to get hold of the potentially deadly weapons, which fire aluminium pointed bolts at high velocity.

Bradford MPs Imran Hussain and Judith Cummins are calling on the Government to put tough rules in place.

Mr Hussain, the MP for Bradford East, said: “Crossbows are extremely dangerous weapons and despite the serious harm that they can cause, they still have so few restrictions on their sale, so as the Government seeks to bring in new laws around dangerous weapons, they must look seriously at the danger crossbows can pose to the public and at stricter controls on them.”

Bradford South MP Mrs Cummins added: “It’s shocking to think such a potentially dangerous weapon can be bought by someone walking straight off the street. Stricter checks could stop them falling into the wrong hands.

“I can see no reason why powerful crossbows should be on the streets of Bradford, or why they should be on sale in our city centre at all.”

Buyers only have to be 18 or over to buy a crossbow and users only break the law if they use them outside of a club or away from private land.

There is no need for background checks, but potential buyers can be turned away if staff do not feel comfortable selling the items.

The weapons were used by the self-styled ‘crossbow cannibal’ Stephen Griffiths, who murdered three Bradford women in 2010, and have been used in a range of violent crimes since.

Postgraduate student Griffiths embarked on a killing spree at his flat in Holmfield Court, Thornton Road, Bradford. He used a crossbow to kill one of his three victims, Suzanne Blamires, 36, when he shot her through the head after knocking her unconscious as she ran terrified from his flat.

According to information obtained through a Freedom of Information request, only 11 people have been arrested for possessing or firing a crossbow by West Yorkshire Police since 2008.

Barkers newsagent in Sunbridge Road, Bradford, sells a variety of crossbows and displays some of them in the window, including a Firecat Jaguar priced at £99.99 which fires 16-inch aluminium bolts.

Merlin Archery has three stores across the country and sells a range of full-size crossbows and pistol crossbows online. The shop’s website boats how its range of pistol crossbows are “small and cheap, but they pack a punch!”

Oliver Clayton-Smith, from Merlin Archery, said crossbows sold steadily throughout the week and were popular with men and women aged between 30 and 45. He said: “There’s no denying they are dangerous.

“There’s an age restriction which helps a little, but it’s difficult because they are classed as sporting goods.

“In theory there’s no difference between the bow and a crossbow, the main difference being a crossbow is much easier to use because it has a sight and you pull a trigger.”

Mr Clayton-Smith explained staff did everything they could to stop crossbows falling into the wrong hands, but they had limited powers and often relied on their discretion to stop buyers who they suspected had malicious intent.

“The law is fairly lax because this is sporting equipment and anyone over 18 can simply get one and take it home,” he added.

“If they come in store we check their driving licence or passport and if someone cannot produce that we don’t sell them.

“The same kind of process happens online. If someone wants an age-related product we send them an e-mail and ask for a copy of their ID.

“Occasionally people are turned away and that’s down to professional discretion. If someone comes in and tells me they want to go into the woods and get rats, that’s illegal. It’s illegal to hunt or kill with any sort of bow and if people tell us that’s what they are using it for we turn them away.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, urged crossbow retailers to be responsible. “West Yorkshire Police will take action against anyone breaking the law on offensive weapons and crossbows fall under these regulations, although I do acknowledge it is not illegal for stores to sell crossbows per se,” he said.

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“Retailers have a responsibility to ensure the age restrictions and any other guidance around the sale of such items is adhered to.”

DCI Paula Bickerdike, of Bradford District Police, said the sale of crossbows was left to shop owners.

She added: “There are, however. only limited circumstances in which people can possess a crossbow without falling foul of the law on offensive weapons.

“For instance, they can only be used in a safe and controlled environment such as a club or on private land.

“What I would underline is that we robustly enforce this law and will take action against anyone who uses them inappropriately.”

A Home Office spokeswoman added: “Crossbows are subject to strict controls and retailers are banned from selling them to a person under the age of 18. We keep legislation under review and will consider the risk such weapons pose to public safety and if further measures are needed. Carrying a crossbow in public can be classed as an offence of carrying an offensive weapon, if the police consider there is intent to use the crossbow to cause injury.”

Barkers declined to comment.