Labour MP's crossbow pledge after policeman shot

A Labour MP has said the government is taking "tougher action" on crime involving crossbows after one of her constituents opened fire on police.

Emma Reynolds, MP for Wycombe in Buckinghamshire and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said the government was introducing stricter age verification checks for online sales.

Jason King, 55, was jailed for nine years last month for stabbing a neighbour and shooting a police officer in High Wycombe.

A judge heard how King, who had a "long history of mental health issues", had bought the crossbow online for less than £20 and was "beside" himself with anger when he fired.

Judge Jonathan Cooper was told how King shot PC Curtis Foster in the leg with a crossbow when officers were called to a neighbour dispute, in Downley, in May 2024.

King admitted unlawful wounding and Judge Cooper said he posed a "significant" risk.

PC Curtis made a full recovery and returned to duty.

In March, an ex-soldier who killed his ex-girlfriend, her sister and her mother after arming himself with a crossbow was jailed for life.

Kyle Clifford shot former Louise Hunt, 25, and her sister Hannah, 28, with a crossbow after stabbing their mother, Carol Hunt, 61, at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July 2024.

"Labour has long called for stronger, common-sense laws to keep communities safe, and that's exactly what we're delivering in government through the Crime and Policing Bill," said Reynolds.

"We're taking tougher action on crime involving weapons and crossbows, by introducing stricter age verification checks for online sales and deliveries, and personal liability for senior managers at online platforms that fail to act on illegal weapons content.

"It is already illegal to carry a crossbow in public and this government is looking at whether the law needs to be tightened further to protect the public."

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