Stab death of boy, 13, called 'senseless' by PM

BBC Sir Keir Starmer speaking in the House of Commons with other MPs behind himBBC
Sir Keir Starmer said the thoughts of everyone in the House of Commons was with the boy's family

The prime minister said the death of a 13-year-old who was fatally stabbed in his home was "tragic" and "senseless".

Jahziah Coke died after he was attacked on Lovett Avenue, Oldbury, in the West Midlands on Thursday.

Two teenage boys have appeared in court charged with his murder and a man in his 40s has been charged with helping an offender.

Sir Keir Starmer said it was his government's "mission" to halve knife crime.

He was responding to a question raised during Prime Minister's Questions by the Labour MP for Smethwick, Gurinder Singh Josan.

He asked Sir Keir if he shared his concerns "at the prevalence of young people carrying knives" and asked "what more can be done to end this scourge that is destroying families and communities".

In response the prime minister said: "This is tragic, it is senseless and at the age just absolutely makes one shudder."

PA Media Candles, floral tributes and balloons outside a house. There are silver balloons spelling out the letters "RIP" hanging across the house's front door.PA Media
Jahziah Coke died after being attacked at his home on Lovett Avenue, in Oldbury, on Thursday

He said so-called zombie-style knives and machetes would be banned from 24 September and a surrender scheme for the knives began last month.

He also said the government would address the online sale of the knives.

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