Ronan’s Law: A Mother’s Relief as New Legislation Promises to Tackle Knife Crime in the UK

Mother of slain youth Ronan Kanda experiences a sense of being listened to for the first time following the government's commitment to introduce a new law targeting knife crime. Ronan was fatally stabbed by Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill close to his home.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 10

The mother of a young boy who was fatally stabbed expressed to Sky News that she finally feels acknowledged following the new Labour government's promise to enact legislation named after her son.

In 2022, 16-year-old Ronan Kanda lost his life at the hands of Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill.

Veadhesa, who had purchased a large machete and various other knives on the internet, mistakenly assaulted Ronan while he was returning home from a friend’s house.

The adolescents planned to attack Ronan's friend, who was involved in a financial dispute and previous altercation with one of them.

Together, the pair of assailants received a total of 34 years of incarceration in 2023.

Labour has pledged to enact legislation named after Ronan that will impose stricter controls on the sale and ownership of hazardous knives.

The authorities have announced plans to address the severe issue of violent crimes in the UK, specifically targeting a 50% reduction in knife-related incidents over the next ten years.

In an interview with Sky News, Pooja Kanda, Ronan's mother, expressed that she felt acknowledged for the first time following the King's Speech.

She expressed relief, stating, "It seems as though someone has finally heard me after years of attempting to make them comprehend the circumstances surrounding my child's death."

"The incident wasn't merely an individual committing an act of murder against my child; it involved a chain of transactions conducted over the internet."

Ms. Kanda noted, "During last year's court session, it was revealed that the offender had purchased a significant number of knives online… specifically, over 25 knives from a single source."

"I was taken aback that such items are accessible. It's no surprise that these criminal activities occur. It's no surprise that our streets feel dangerous."

"I wish this had been done previously so that my son could still be with us today."

Labour has announced that Ronan's Law will encompass a prohibition on holding a broader array of hazardous weapons and will initiate a scrutiny of internet knife sales, enhancing the rigor of identity verification enforcement.

In the incident involving Ronan, Veadhesa managed to buy a knife on the internet using his mother's credentials and subsequently collected the blade with no requirement to show identification.

Discover additional details at Sky News: Correctional facility set for temporary shutdown due to detection of radioactive gas. Residential blaze results in two fatalities, with two minors hospitalized. Teenager, aged 17, passes away at juvenile detention center.

Stay ahead with the latest breaking news updates.

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated: "The family of Ronan Kanda has endured an inconceivable tragedy. Their drive to ensure that no other family experiences this is extraordinary.

"For families grappling with the profound sorrow of a child lost to knife violence, the political affiliation of the leader addressing the issue is irrelevant."

"What is needed is a commitment from political figures that they are serious about addressing this problem and are determined to take measures to decrease knife-related violence."

Stay informed about the newest updates from the UK and global events by tuning into Sky News.

The prime minister stated emphatically, "This is a significant issue for me. It's essential that we collaborate to decrease incidents of knife crime."

"This is the reason the Labour Party plans to enact Ronan's Law and implement stringent measures to prohibit the online sale of machetes, zombie knives, and ninja swords, effectively stopping the sale of knives to minors."

Associated Subjects

Sky News Bottom Section

Information on Sky News

Services Offered by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites