At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, took the stage to make an emotive and powerful pledge, drawing applause and support from the audience. Opening the third day of the event, she vowed to tackle the UK’s growing knife crime epidemic, with an ambitious promise to halve knife crime within the next decade.

Cooper's speech began on a somber note, reflecting on the tragic death of Ronan Kanda, a teenager who lost his life to a brutal knife attack involving a "zombie knife." The pain and grief of Ronan’s mother, who spoke before Cooper, visibly moved the audience, setting the stage for Cooper’s commitment to take action.

In response, Cooper promised the introduction of "Ronan’s Law," which would ban the sale and possession of ninja swords—often seen as part of the wider problem of dangerous weapons on UK streets. She stated:
“This government will pass Ronan's Law—a ban on ninja swords,”
receiving tremendous applause as she reaffirmed her dedication to protecting young lives.

With knife crime having escalated over the past decade, the Labour Party has placed this issue at the forefront of its criminal justice policy. Cooper emphasised that Labour's goal is not just about reducing statistics but saving lives and preventing further tragedies.

The pledge to halve knife crime in a decade aligns with Labour’s broader commitment to crime prevention and rehabilitation, ensuring that policies are not just punitive but transformative. Cooper’s call to action signals Labour’s vision for safer communities, where young people are given the support and opportunities they need to steer away from violence.

As knife crime continues to pose a major threat to public safety, Cooper’s speech marks a defining moment in the Labour Party’s commitment to tackling this deeply rooted issue head-on. With Ronan’s Law as a symbolic first step, the party hopes to bring real, lasting change to communities affected by knife violence.